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Solomon Islanders Back Traditional Law |
| Source: |
pina.com.fj |
| Source Date: |
Friday, April 08, 2011 |
| Focus: |
Electronic and Mobile Government, Citizen Engagement, Internet Governance
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| Country: |
Solomon Islands |
| Created: |
Apr 12, 2011 |
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Solomon Islanders largely support the regional assistance mission to their country, but have serious concerns about government accountability and crime, a survey reveals.
Most respondents think customary law needs to be enshrined along with the national law.
They called for the powers of chiefs and elders to be recognised more formally.
The annual Solomon Islands Government-RAMSI assistance mission People's Survey - conducted since 2006 - spoke to 5,000 people.
The survey was commissioned by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and the government to chart progress in national rebuilding after troubles in the past decade.
Employment
Islanders this year were asked about issues including employment, law and order, public accountability and access to services.
The report was compiled by researchers from the Australian National University and local fieldworkers.
They say citizens taking part thought "misuse of power and corruption were . . . widespread in Solomon Islands and all groups thought it had increased in recent years".
Launching the report, Prime Minister Danny Philip admitted it was not easy reading.
But he said: "While the results of RAMSI survey presents uncomfortable reading for some as to what some people think of the level of accountability of our leaders, particularly members of parliament and what the government has been doing in this country, I believe this is for our democracy.
"The fourth people's survey conducted so far has given our people an opportunity to speak their mind."
Mr Philip said the survey results indicated most respondents did not know about avenues to report improper behaviour - such as the Leadership Code Commission.
This would give the government the opportunity to re-direct its efforts, he said.
Eighty-four per cent of respondents said they supported RAMSI, a drop of four per cent since last year.
Forty-nine percent of respondents said law and order would break down if RAMSI left now.
The police came in for criticism. The majority of people - who were interviewed in focus groups - said police did not respond to calls for help and reported no improvement in services in recent years.
Deputy police commissioner, Eddie Sikua, said some problems are beyond his control - and he indicated sympathy for the survey correspondents backing of traditional community customs.
"If we look at the increase in people feeling safe in their communities, that means there are probably traditional mechanisms happening in the community," he said.
"There is a decrease in serious crimes; however, an increase in anti-social behaviour.
"This the police probably cannot solve by themselves. It will need existing ways of sorting out our problems in communities so that when little things happen in our communities we are able to attend quickly.
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Solomon Islanders Back Traditional Law Solomon Islanders largely support the regional assistance mission to their country but have serious concerns about government accountability and crime a survey reveals
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