Solomon Islands: Government urged to ratify the ICCPR and establish a human rights institution while media faces restrictions

Civic space is rated as ‘narrowed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. Among concerns previously documented are threats to ban Facebook in the country and attempts to vilify civil society as well as LGBTQI+ groups. The authorities have also restricted access to information, including requests from the media. Peaceful protests have also been dispersed and protest leaders charged.

Matthew Cooper Wale was elected as the Solomon Islands prime minister by secret ballot in Honiara on 15th May 2026. Wale - the leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party - was elected by 26 votes to 22 against Peter Shanel Agovaka. This occurred after former prime minister Jeremiah Manele lost power in a no-confidence vote, ending months of political uncertainty. Manele’s Government for National Unity and Transformation has been at an impasse since March 2026, when it was hit by mass cabinet resignations and the exit of two coalition partners.

On 11th May 2026, the Solomon Islands underwent a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. During the review, states called on the government to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, establish an independent national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles and ensure an enabling environment for civil society.

Over the last month, the media has faced restrictions accessing a landslide at a gold mine and were excluded from a security agreement signing. UNESCO has also called on the government to decriminalise defamation.

Expression

Journalists denied access to landslide at gold mine

In July 2026, journalists were blocked from entering a landslide site.

On 27th July 2026, there was a landslide at an open pit at a gold mine in Guadalcanal, the largest island in the Solomon Islands The site, near the capital Honiara, is the country’s only large-scale gold mine. Operated by Gold Ridge Mining Limited, the mine has since 2019 been majority-owned by the Hong Kong-listed, Chinese-headquartered firm Wanguo Gold Group, with local landowners holding a small stake.

According to reports, the media were denied access to the mining site following the landslide incident. The local media representatives were reportedly stopped by security personnel at Gate Two along the road leading towards the landslide site. Upon arrival at Gate Two, security personnel contacted the mine’s office to seek permission for the media representatives to access the site, but permission was denied.

Ofani Eremae, President of the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI), publicly criticised the decision to block journalists from visiting the mining site after the landslide. Addressing reporters, Eremae stated that media access is vital to verify facts and curb rampant speculation regarding the incident.

Media excluded from security agreement signing

On 28th July 2026, In-depth Solomons reported that the government signed a much-debated maritime security agreement with the United States aboard a visiting US Coast Guard Vessel in Honiara behind closed doors with the media excluded.

Journalists had been advised initially that they would be allowed to cover the signing of the Agreement Concerning Counter Illicit Transnational Maritime Activity, commonly known as a shiprider agreement, and witness the event alongside the government and officials.

However, the signing proceeded without media access. No explanation was provided for the last-minute change in arrangements.

The opposition had launched a stinging attack against the agreement, warning it could undermine the country’s sovereignty. The deal establishes a legal framework allowing Solomon Islands law enforcement officers to be embedded on U.S. Coast Guard vessels.

The government later said the changes were made due to the weather and safety reasons and not secrecy.

UNESCO calls on government to decriminalise defamation

Ahead of the UPR review, UNESCO recommended that Solomon Islands decriminalise defamation and place it within civil defamation legislation in accordance with international standards.

Such laws are inconsistent with the consensus that has grown in recent years in support of the decriminalisation of defamation. In General Comment 34, the UN Human Rights Committee urged states to decriminalise defamation and called on those retaining criminal defamation provisions to ensure that they do not carry the threat of imprisonment. Human rights courts, international and regional human rights bodies and human rights mandate-holders have similarly called for the repeal and reform of criminal defamation provisions.