A/HRC/32/14
National Advisory Committee on CEDAW, the National Advisory and Action Committee
on Children as well as the National UPR Working Committee which has oversight for the
universal periodic review cycles.
16.
Regarding the independence of the judiciary, the delegation stated that Solomon
Islands strived to maintain a vibrant justice system by upholding the rule of law and
promoting and providing access to justice to those who sought it. The delegation referred to
training and in-service support to the judiciary and the magistracy offered through the Law
and Justice Sector programmes. Solomon Islands stated that it continued to maintain court
tours to the provinces to consider higher court cases for the convenience of the rural
populace. The Government acknowledged the assistance provided to the judiciary and
magistracy by the Commonwealth and bilateral partners and welcomed further assistance in
that regard.
17.
The delegation referred to the strategic plan on rural water supply, sanitation and
hygiene (R-WASH) 2015-2020, with its vision for all, in both rural and urban areas, to have
easy access to sufficient quality and safe water and appropriate sanitation in a safe and
hygienic environment by 2024. At present, only 35 to 40 per cent of the needed R-WASH
infrastructure is available in rural areas and the plan is to roll out further to reach 100 per
cent R-WASH access by 2024. Solomon Islands expressed gratitude to both Japan and the
European Union for their continuous assistance in the areas of water, sanitation and
hygiene.
18.
The delegation stated that fast population growth and urban drift had placed pressure
on resources such as land and housing for the working populace in urban Honiara.
Temporary Occupancy Licences had been reviewed to cater for the expanding urban
population.
19.
Regarding the health sector, the delegation indicated that the Government was in the
process of completing its second Health Demographic Survey, which would form the basis
for improving the delivery of health services. The delegation stated that Solomon Islands
was committed to improving inclusive access to health for all. Infant mortality had
reportedly been reduced due to increased access to health facilities and with skilled
attendance at 95 per cent of births. There were 187 nurses’ aide posts, 102 rural health
clinics, 38 area health-care centres and 7 provincial hospitals. There was increased
immunization, although challenges remained to reduce child mortality. There was
reportedly improvement in access to sexual and reproductive health services, including preand post-natal care, with more than 80 per cent of deliveries in health facilities with the
services of skilled personnel. The delegation stated that, malaria, the leading cause of death,
had been dramatically reduced as a result of scaled-up prevention and control interventions.
20.
On education, the delegation referred to the Government’s aims to achieve universal
education for all and stated that an Education Bill had been developed. The Government
had also developed an Inclusive Education Policy to address equal opportunities for
children with disabilities to access education, provide opportunities for pregnant students to
return to the classroom after giving birth, abolish corporal punishment and promote the feefree policy for schools. There were currently four schools for children with special needs,
with both primary and secondary levels, that received grant assistance from the
Government and faith-based organizations.
21.
The delegation stated that the Government, with the support of OHCHR, was
working on a concept framework to enable the Government to monitor, report and follow
up on international treaty obligations, which would help to fast-track its commitments to
meet its reporting obligations. A common core document was in draft form and needed
updating before it could be submitted to the treaty bodies sometime in 2016.
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