[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

SOLOMON ISLANDS (Tier 2 Watch List) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of Solomon Islands does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.  These efforts included developing a communication and implementation strategy for its NAP and raising awareness of trafficking.  However, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity.  Authorities did not identify or assist trafficking victims, and protection services remained inadequate.  The government did not initiate any trafficking investigations or prosecutions and, for the third consecutive year, the government did not convict any traffickers.  The government did not administer anti-trafficking training for its police or judicial officials, despite a lack of understanding of trafficking among such officials.  For the fourth consecutive year, the Ministry of Commerce’s Labor Division did not conduct systematic monitoring and inspection activities at logging sites or in the fishing or mining sectors, despite clear indicators of trafficking.  Therefore Solomon Islands was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List.

Prioritized Recommendations

Investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, including those involving victims’ family members and complicit officials, and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should involve significant prison terms.

Increase efforts to identify Solomon Islander and foreign trafficking victims within the country, including in agriculture; the fishing, logging, and mining industries; and in relation to illicit commercial activities.

Adopt a comprehensive human trafficking law that criminalizes all forms of the crime and prescribes penalties that are sufficiently stringent and commensurate with penalties prescribed for other grave crimes, and remove sentencing provisions under current laws that allow fines in lieu of imprisonment for sex trafficking crimes occurring outside of Solomon Islands.

In collaboration with civil society, screen for trafficking indicators and ensure victims are not inappropriately penalized solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked, including among individuals in commercial sex, People’s Republic of China (PRC) nationals employed at worksites affiliated with PRC-based companies, communities located near mining and logging camps, and individuals – including children – apprehended for illegal fishing, desertion from foreign‑registered fishing vessels, illegal logging, or immigration crimes and ensure all identified victims are referred to protection services.

Train immigration officials, police, prosecutors, judicial officials, and social service providers on all relevant trafficking laws and victim identification procedures, including at the provincial level.

Increase government support for victim protection, including funding for specialized shelter services, benefiting both male and female victims.

Implement and fund the 2020-2025 NAP.

Collect data on trafficking trends in Solomon Islands and disseminate among interagency anti-trafficking stakeholders.

Institute a campaign to raise awareness of trafficking, including among remote logging and mining communities in all provinces.

Eliminate recruitment or placement fees charged to workers by labor recruiters and ensure any recruitment fees are paid by employers.

Amend existing forestry laws to include minimum social safeguards and child protection policies.

Accede to the 2000 UN TIP Protocol.