31 March 2019
Solomon Islands: Credible efforts continuing to bring to justice those guilty of corruption in office
“Without strong watchdog institutions, impunity becomes the very foundation upon which systems of corruption are built. And if impunity is not demolished, all efforts to bring an end to corruption are in vain. “?—? Rigoberta Menchú
Last Friday in the Solomon Islands, the former permanent secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), who corruptly received more than $700,000 from the government was sentenced to four years imprisonment.
The Chief Magistrate Emma Garo, in her sentencing remarks, said corruption is everyone’s business to address.
Ms Garo added, “It is blot on the credibility of the government and the country as a whole and and it undermines every aspect of society.”
Following the court sentence, the JANUS task force in a joint statement, said the Court decision was a great example of the effectiveness of the Joint Task Force Janus and the RSIPF and the Ministry of Finance & Treasury Investigators working cooperatively to bring very complex corruption matters to a close.
The statement also commended the Director of Public Prosecutions and his office.
Let us go forward in the Solomon Islands to ensure that integrity, transparency and the fight against corruption becomes part of a new culture and seen by all as core fundamental values.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
