A/HRC/32/14 8. Solomon Islands has a population of almost 600,000, with 80 per cent located in rural areas. The delegation highlighted that it faced challenges as a small island developing State, particularly in reaching the rural populace with service delivery, the frequency of natural disasters, as well as transportation and communication difficulties. Other challenges in implementing the first-cycle recommendations included the short timespan of successive Solomon Islands Governments with shifting priorities and budgetary issues and a high staff turnover. As a result, consistency and continuity in the implementation of human rights and other development issues were affected. Resource, capacity and financial constraints for stakeholders’ consultations with the rural populace remained a key challenge to addressing human rights issues. 9. The delegation pointed to other equally important challenges, such as the lack of understanding and sensitivity to human rights issues, which resulted in delays in making progress in the implementation of the recommendations. 10. The delegation proceeded to highlight significant achievements made since the last universal periodic review. Recognition was given to the achievements and contribution of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands in restoring law and order and the delivery of basic economic and social services. The delegation reminded participants that Solomon Islands had experienced civil unrest between 1998 and 2003, which affected the rule of law, service delivery, development and economic activities, to name a few areas affecting basic human rights. Normalcy of livelihoods, business ventures and investment returned to the country following the deployment of the Regional Assistance Mission in 2003. 11. The delegation explained that the current Government had taken office about 18 months ago and had taken on extensive law reform. It had already achieved the enactment of the Family Protection Act 2014, the Political Parties Integrity Act, the Police Act and the Correctional Service Act. In addition, the Government planned to present eight bills to Parliament at its first sessional sitting of 2016, including, in particular, the Child and Family Welfare Bill; the Whistle-Blower Bill and an Anti-Corruption Bill that might lead to the establishment of an independent commission against corruption. 12. The delegation provided information on action taken to strengthen the capacity of courts and on access to justice in rural areas, including providing housing for lawyers in four of the provinces furthest from the capital, new and refurbished courthouses and magistrates helping out in regular court sittings. A new juvenile and family court in Honiara was reportedly user friendly for young persons and family members during court hearings. The delegation referred to the appointment in 2014 of a permanent chairperson to the Law Reform Commission that assured Government to progress law review references on to the next process of the drafting of legislation. The Government acknowledged support received from Australia and the Commonwealth Secretariat for legal drafting that had contributed to the development of many legislative bills in the past. 13. The delegation reported that the latest draft federal Constitution of 2014 might soon be submitted to Parliament and that it covered a broader range of human rights and proposed that a human rights commission be established. 14. On the issue of a national human rights institution, the delegation reported that the Government was currently exploring an expansion of the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman so that human rights complaints or issues might be brought before it. Discussions were continuing on the human resources capacity of the existing institution to deal with human rights complaints, while also looking at the provision for a human rights commission under the proposed federal Constitution. 15. The delegation referred to other mechanisms already in place to assist successive Governments with reporting under human rights treaties, such as the Solomon Islands 4