Solomon Islands: Treatment of ethnic Chinese in Honiara by Malaitans, the Guadalcanal natives, and by the authorities; availability and effectiveness of state protection for them; availability of relocation to safer islands; whether there has been an exodus of ethnic Chinese or foreigners from the Solomon Islands (January 2000 - April 2001)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 10 April 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SLB36622.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Solomon Islands: Treatment of ethnic Chinese in Honiara by Malaitans, the Guadalcanal natives, and by the authorities; availability and effectiveness of state protection for them; availability of relocation to safer islands; whether there has been an exodus of ethnic Chinese or foreigners from the Solomon Islands (January 2000 - April 2001), 10 April 2001, SLB36622.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4bea98.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A 15 June 2000 Radio Australia broadcast states "The governor of the Solomon Islands' Central Bank, Rick Hou, said the companies that drive the economy are all run by foreign citizens who've been evacuated."
A 15 July 2000 Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation broadcast states:
The Royal Solomon Islands Police requests the leaders and Commanders of the joint paramilitary and Malaita Eagle Force to address the deteriorating crime situation in Honiara. A statement signed on behalf of the Acting Police Commissioner by Senior Superintendent and Acting Director of C-I-D, Jackson Ofu, says the situation has got out of hand. They include the killing of the two patients at the Central Hospital, incidences of attack, threat and harassment of innocent people, looting of properties, theft of vehicles and other things have increased during the last two weeks. The statement sys that during this week alone, more than 12 vehicles were reported stolen from both Chinese businessmen and individuals by men in green uniforms. It says two shops at Chinatown were broken into and thieves got away with everything, a woman was brutally assaulted outside the Point Cruz Yacht Club. The statement adds that in the present situation when criminals are allowed to carry guns and driving around town freely, the regular police could only do its best to assist the victims for these crimes. The Police call on the leaders and Commanders of the joint paramilitary and Malaita Eagle Force to seriously look into the deteriorating situation as it has got out of hand. The Police says it's believed some elements of the MEF may be involved in these criminal activities.
A 3 August 2000 Radio Australia emission states:
The Solomon Islands' largest company, Solomon Taiyo, has repatriated all of its foreign workers following the suspension of its operations in the country. The company chartered two aircraft to fly 42 Japanese and Filipino workers out of Honiara. The indefinite suspension of its fishing operations follows the recent hijacking of one of its vessels.
A 4 September 2000 article on the Solomon Islands Ministry of Commerce Website states that "Local businessman John Fera appeals to criminals to respect Chinese community and leave them alone. Reacting to concerns raised by a number of Chinese businessmen of harassment and threats, Mr. Fera says the local Chinese community should be protected."
No additional information on the treatment of ethnic Chinese in Honiara and on the state protection available to them, nor on the feasibility of relocation to other islands or whether there has been an exodus of ethnic Chinese to other islands in the Solomon Islands, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Pacific Islands Report [Manoa, Hawaii]. 3 August 2000. Solomon Islands' Biggest Company, Solomon Taiyo, Repatriates All Foreign Workers."
_____. 15 June 2000. "Foreign Departures Affect Solomon Islands' Economy."
Solomon Islands Ministry of Commerce WebSite [Honiara, in English]. 4 September 2000. "Call for End to Harassment of Chinese." (BBC Summary 5 Sept. 2000/WNC)
_____. 15 July 2000. "Police Request Leaders of Joint Paramilitary Force to Address Worsening Crime Situation in Honiara."
Additional Sources Consulted
Correspondence sent to two sources
IRB databases
NEXIS/LEXIS
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International
BBC News Online
Derechos Human Rights
News from Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation
OneWorld.org
Pacific Islands Report
Political Resources on the Net: Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands: Internet Resources
World News Connection
