Constitution of Solomon Islands 1978, as amended to 2023
Obligations of the State
  • English

    Whereas every person in Solomon Islands is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest
    ... (Sec. 3)

Obligations of the State
  • English
    Any person any of whose rights or freedoms under this Chapter has been contravened shall be entitled to compensation for the contravention thereof from the person or authority which contravened it. (Sec. 17)
Obligations of Private Parties
  • English
    Whereas every person in Solomon Islands is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest
    ... (Sec. 3)
Judicial Protection
  • English

    (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (6) of this section, if any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 3 to 164 (inclusive) of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him (or, in the case of a person who is detained, if any other person alleges such a contravention in relation to the detained person) then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person (or that other person) may apply to the High Court for redress.
    (2) The High Court shall have original jurisdiction-
    (a) to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of the preceding subsection;
    (b) to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of the next following subsection, and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions, including the payment of compensation, as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution:
    Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned under any other law.
    (3) If in any proceedings in any subordinate court any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution, the person presiding in that court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the High Court unless, in his opinion, the raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.
    (4) Any person aggrieved by any determination of the High Court under this section may appeal therefrom to the Court of Appeal:
    Provided that no appeal shall lie from a determination of the High Court under this section dismissing an application on the ground that it is frivolous or vexatious.
    (5) Parliament may confer upon the High Court powers additional to those conferred by this section for the purpose of enabling that court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
    (6) Rules of court making provision with respect to the practise and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction conferred on it by or under this section (including rules with respect to the time within which any application or reference shall or may be made or brought) may be made by the person or authority for the time being having power to make rules of court with respect to the practice and procedure of that court generally. (Sec. 18)

National Human Rights Bodies
  • English
    (1) There shall be an Ombudsman, whose office shall be a public office.
    (2) The Ombudsman shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of a committee consisting of the Speaker, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and the Chairman of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.
    … (Sec. 96)
National Human Rights Bodies
  • English
    (1) The functions of the Ombudsman shall be to:-
    (a) enquire into the conduct of any person to whom this section applies in the exercise of his office or authority, or abuse thereof;
    (b) assist in the improvement of the practices and procedures of public bodies; and
    (c) ensure the elimination of arbitrary and unfair decisions.
    (2) Parliament may confer additional functions on the Ombudsman.
    (3) This section applies to members of the public service, the Police Force, the Prisons Service, the government of Honiara city, provincial governments, and such other offices, commissions, corporate bodies or public agencies as may be prescribed by Parliament:
    Provided that it shall not apply to the Governor-General or his personal staff or to the Director of Public Prosecutions or any person acting in accordance with his instructions.
    (4) Nothing in this section or in any Act of Parliament enacted for the purposes of this Chapter shall confer on the Ombudsman any power to question or review any decision of any judge, magistrate or registrar in the exercise of his judicial functions. (Sec. 97)
1

Constitution of Solomon Islands 1978, as amended to 2018 (English); 2022 Amendment to the Constitution (English); 2023 Amendment to the Constitution (English). The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the Constitution of Solomon Islands 1978 (English).

Links to all sites last visited 27 November 2023
2

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

3

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

4

Sections 3 to 16 are part of Chapter II on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individuals.

5

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

6

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

7

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

8

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.