Opposition in Solomons Pushes Accountability After Woman’s Death; Niue Donor Funds Were Misused; Foreign Workers in Saipan Rally for Better Treatment

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

HONIARA, Solomon Islands — Opposition leader, Manasseh Sogavare, says that a law should be changed to discourage government impunity and encourage transparency and accountability. Sogavare’s recommendation follows the death of a woman who was hit by two Samoan officers reportedly intoxicated while driving.

On Friday, the two officers for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) struck and killed Hilda Ilabae, a trainee nurse. Members of RAMSI offered their condolences to Ms. Ilabae’s family, and transport and supplies for the burial was provided.

Sogavare’s criticism is that under the Facilitation Act, RAMSI is not held accountable under the Solomons law.  Sogavare said, “. . .right now they [RAMSI] are in fact quite a privileged group of people in the whole of our country. They can break our laws and get away with it. There is a procedure that outlines that they can be dealt with in their own country but there is no assurance, there is no guarantee that that will happen.”

For more information, please see:
Pacific Magazine — RAMSI Commander, Official Bury Solomon Islander Killed In Accident — 16 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Solomons opposition queries RAMSI immunity after fatal road incident — 16 June 2008

Solomon Times Online — Prime Minister of Samoa Apologizes for Death of Young Nurse — 16 June 2008

ABC, Radio Australia — Regret from RAMSI over death of woman in Honiara — 16 June 2008

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ALOFI, Niue — A financial report to the Niue government has revealed that donor funds were misused in order to supplement government funds. As a result, the misallocation of funds has caused many special projects to go unfinished.

Treasury officials found that roughly $650,000 has prevented the use of donor funds through the creation of “separate bank accounts.” The report recommends increasing government revenue by more rigorously pursuing tax defaulters and adjusting the collection of import duties. Officials have also reported that revenue from port charges is down due to other expenditures.

The Niue Government has halted the flow of imported goods until full, realistic appraisals of their value are made.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — Officials say Niue using donor funds to prop up Government finances — 16 June 2008

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SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands — Last week, U.S. federal officials were on hand in Saipan to address rallying foreign workers’ concerns.

The rally was meant to address the need for improved immigration statuses as well as $6.1 million in back claims for unpaid wages and damages owed to hundreds of aliens. The Human Dignity Movement encouraged workers to gather at the American Memorial Park in order to help bring these immigration issues to light.

Among the requests, Jerry Custodio, president to the Human Dignity Movement, has asked, “federal officials for fair protection and treatment, justice to long-term workers, payment of unpaid wages in Labor administrative orders and for improved immigration status.”

For more information, please see:
Saipan Tribune — Foreign Workers To Rally For Better Status — 10 June 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive