The Solomon Islands has a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system of government. The Governor General is head of state and is chosen by Parliament for a 5-year term. The unicameral, 50-seat Parliament is elected by universal suffrage for a 4-year term. Parliament elects the Prime Minister, who, with the Cabinet, holds executive authority. A new Parliament was elected in 2006. The Kemakeza's People's Alliance Party, which had been in power, lost more than half its seats, so that 6 political parties now hold 20 seats, while the remaining 30 seats are held by independents. With support of independent Members of Parliament the deputy Prime Minister formed a government. Rioting in the capital resulted, with violence directed at Chinese businessmen accused of influencing the election result. The Prime Minister resigned and was succeeded by a former Prime Minister.

Conflict between 2 of the main ethnic groups, the Malaitans and the Guadalcanalese, is reported to have led to a deterioration in human rights. The government invited the intervention of RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, a multinational police force of Pacific region countries) to restore law and order. No women serve in Parliament. 3 members of minorities were elected to Parliament, and 2 are in the Cabinet. The judiciary is independent in law and in practice.

Discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed or disability, but discrimination occurs, with allegations of mistreatment by police.

Corruption and a lack of accountability reportedly allow police officers to act with impunity. RAMSI has arrested a number of police officers and senior political figures and brought them to trial. Corruption and impunity in the executive and legislative branches of government are serious problems. The government refused to implement a RAMSI proposal to establish an independent leadership integrity commission. The auditor general reported nearly US$800,000 (SI$6 million) unaccounted arising from a loan for compensation payments to persons whose property was damaged during the period of ethnic tensions.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed in law and in practice. Internet access is not restricted. Radio remains the main source of information as illiteracy levels are high. Access to government information is not provided for in law, but the government is responsive to inquiries.

Homosexual relationships are illegal, and homosexuals suffer discrimination.

During the period of social disruption the education system was neglected. Foreign assistance has since helped revitalise education. All schools are now reported to be in operation, and 200 new classrooms are being built. Education is not compulsory, and high fees limit attendance at secondary and tertiary institutions. A higher percentage of boys than girls attend school. Primary school tuition fees have been eliminated, raising the primary age enrolment rate by one-third above the 60% reported over the last few years.

The public school curriculum includes 30 minutes daily of religious instruction, with content agreed upon by the Christian churches. Students may be excused religious education at the request of their parents. Church schools, whose curricula are not approved by the government, do not receive government funding. 8 secondary school students were suspended after they complained about a lack of resources at their school; they were later reinstated. Little statistical information is available on education.

A 3-year programme begins at age 3. The Gross Enrolment Rate is 48%.

Education is not compulsory. Primary education begins at age 6 and lasts 6 years. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 80% (47% female).

Secondary education begins at age 12 and lasts 7 years. The NER is 26%.

296 Solomon Islands students are studying abroad, mainly in Papua New Guinea (104), New Zealand (93), Australia (77), the USA (9) and the UK (6).

The protection and care of disabled children is left to the extended family. Some NGOs provide assistance. Neither law nor policy protects persons with disabilities. Unemployment is high, and there are limited job opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Red Cross supports an educational facility for children with disabilities. A unit at the College of Higher Education is staffed by Australian volunteers who train teachers to help educate children with disabilities. The training is compulsory for all student teachers. Persons with mental disabilities are cared for within the family. In 2004 a hospital opened a ward for the treatment of psychiatric patients.

The government is a party to the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, but it has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. The government cooperates with the UNHCR and the Red Cross to assist refugees and asylum-seekers.

The 27 islands that make up the national territory are home to approximately 70 different language groups. Inter-island migration has created large groups of internal indigenous minorities. Indigenous militias on the island of Guadalcanal drove settlers from the neighbouring island of Malaita in the period from 1998 to 2000, and many them fled to the capital. Friction continues, and many settlers have been unable to return to their homes. Social discrimination against ethnic Chinese is reported.

While reports do not cite specific restrictions of academic freedom, concern has been expressed at the pressure on educational institutions during political upheavals.

Women have equal rights in law, including the right to own property, but they tend to be limited to traditional roles and have little participation in economic and political life. The ability of women to enter the paid work force is limited by high unemployment and high female illiteracy.

An Amnesty International report cites violence against women as a serious problem. Domestic violence is reported to be common and is not dealt with in law. Stigma and cultural taboos prevent criminal charges. Sexual harassment is not prohibited by law and is a problem. Both boys and girls may marry at age 15; marriage at age 14 is permitted with parental and village consent but is not common.

Children under age 12 can work in light agricultural or domestic work with their parents; children under 15 cannot work in industry or on ships, and youth under 18 cannot work in mines. High unemployment limits child labour. Children are usually protected within the extended family system, but some cases of child abuse are reported. There are no reports of homeless or abandoned children. Children under 18 were active combatants or assisted in militia camps during the ethnic conflict. Many child militants joined criminal gangs, but most have now returned to their villages.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions. Approximately 90% of employees work in the public sector, and half of those working in the private sector are union members. Collective bargaining is permitted, and unions negotiate wages and working conditions. The right to strike is guaranteed.

Forced or compulsory labour is permitted as part of a court sentence, but reports do not indicate that this occurs. The minimum hourly wage is US $0.20 (SI$1.50), except for workers in fishing and agriculture, whose minimum is US $0.17 (SI$1.25). The minimum wage does not provide a decent standard of living for a family.