U.S. Dep't of State, 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Solomon Islands

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The constitution provides for religious freedom, including the freedom to change religions, proselytize, and establish religious schools. Laws “reasonably required” to achieve certain listed public goals may restrict these rights. Government officials said proposed constitutional amendments, first introduced in 2017, to declare the nation a Christian country, were not advancing. On December 19, however, parliament passed the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2023 which established a Constituent Assembly to consider and recommend to parliament the terms of a new constitution, for consideration in 2024, that would replace the existing constitution in its entirety.

As of year’s end, specific language in the proposal was not yet public. Members of minority faiths expressed some concern over any possible provisions of the proposed new constitution that would declare the nation a Christian country. Multiple religious groups, including Christian, Jewish, and Islamic, were registered in the country. Government sources stated there were no pending registration applications for other groups.

The Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace, and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGPEA) provided funding to churches to carry out social programs, such as a Christian care center for victims of domestic violence. In October, the government funded a 79-member interdenominational delegation to Jerusalem, an expense that some called a misplaced priority given other social needs. Members of minority faiths continued to express concern that most citizens, who are predominantly Christian and Protestant, would likely support any efforts to declare the country a Christian nation. U.S. embassy representatives discussed religious tolerance and the proposed constitutional change to declare the country a Christian nation with government officials during the year.

Embassy officials discussed with religious minorities whether groups believed they could freely exercise their religious beliefs. U.S. military chaplains and volunteers engaged with religious actors and congregations by participating in religious services, providing support in religious schools, and engaging in community outreach events in underserved and at-risk areas of greater Honiara. During November and December, the U.S. Naval Ship (USNS) MERCY visited the country for two weeks at a time, and provided medical support, some in cooperation with religious groups. Section I. Religious Demography The U.S. government estimates the population at 714,766 (midyear 2023).

According to the 2019 government census and independent sources, the five largest religious groups are members of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, 32 percent of the population; Roman Catholics, 20 percent; South Seas Evangelicals, 17 percent; Seventh-day Adventists, 12 percent; and United Methodists, 10 percent. An estimated 5 percent of the population, consisting primarily of the Kwaio ethnic community on the island of Malaita, adheres to Indigenous, animistic religions. Groups together constituting less than 5 percent of the population include Muslims, Baha’is, Jehovah’s Witnesses, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), and members of Indigenous churches that split from major Christian denominations, such as the Christian Fellowship Church, which separated from the United Methodist Church in 1960. Section II.

Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom Legal Framework The constitution provides for freedom of thought and of religion. This includes the freedom for individuals to change religion or belief, to proselytize, and to worship, teach, practice, and observe one’s religion in public or in private, either alone or with others. The constitution also provides for the freedom to establish noncompulsory religious instruction. These provisions may be restricted by laws “reasonably required” to protect the rights of others, for defense, or for public safety, order, morality, or health.

The MTGPEA delivers ecclesiastical programs in partnership with faith-based organizations, engages with religious leaders to support peace initiatives, and manages government grants to churches. All religious groups must register with the government. Religious groups must apply in writing to the Registrar of Companies for a certificate of registration. Religious groups and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) may register as charitable organizations.

To register, a group must submit the required documentation to the Registrar of Companies; the application fee of 1,250 Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) ($160) is waived for religious groups. Documentation required for the application process includes a description of the group, a list of board members, and a constitution that states how the group is governed and how members are chosen. The registrar issues a certificate when satisfied that the requirements have been met and that the nature, extent, objectives, and circumstances of the applicant are noncommercial. The public-school curriculum includes an hour of weekly religious instruction, the content of which is agreed upon by member churches of the Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA), an ecumenical organization comprising the country’s five largest churches.

Parents may have their children excused from religious education. Government-subsidized church schools are required to align their nonreligious curricula with governmental criteria. Non-Christian religious instruction is provided in schools upon request. Ministers or other representatives of the religion provide these classes.

Anyone found to be preventing religious instruction faces imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to SBD 500 ($60). The country is not a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Government Practices Government officials said proposed constitutional amendments, first introduced in 2017, to declare the nation a Christian country, were not advancing at the end of the year. On December 19, parliament passed the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2023 that contained provisions for repealing the 1978 constitution and replacing it with a new constitution.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill established a Constituent Assembly charged with considering and recommending a draft constitution to parliament for passage. If parliament, in acting on an affirmative recommendation from the Constituent Assembly, passes the bill, the terms of the new constitution will immediately replace the existing constitution in its entirety. As of year’s end, the provisions of a new constitution under the bill were not yet public. Members of minority faiths expressed some concern over any possible provisions of the proposed new constitution that would declare the nation a Christian country, and the likelihood that most citizens, who are predominantly Christian and Protestant, would support such provisions.

Multiple religious groups, including Christian, Jewish, and Islamic groups, were registered in the country. Government sources stated there were no pending registration applications for other groups. Officials stated some religious groups were able to register as NGOs or charities without being required to reveal any religious affiliation, which the groups hoped might offer more freedom to operate. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the MTGPEA continued to interact with religious groups.

The Ministry of Home Affairs characterized its role as maintaining a balance between constitutionally protected rights of religious freedom, free speech, and free expression, and maintaining public order. The MTGPEA provided funding to churches to carry out social programs, such as a Christian care center for victims of domestic violence administrated by the Anglican Church of Melanesia, and for the maintenance of church buildings. The government subsidized most of the schools and health centers administered by the Catholic Church, Anglican Church of Melanesia, United Methodist Church, South Seas Evangelical Church, and Seventh-day Adventist Church. It allocated these subsidies proportionally based on the number of students at the schools and the size of the health centers.

The government customarily continued to use the Bible to administer oaths of office, but this was not compulsory. The Prime Minister included Bible verses in most of his public speeches and parliamentary addresses. In October, the government gave one million Solomon Island dollars ($124,000) to a 79-member interdenominational delegation that traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Media outlets reported that opposition leader Matthew Wale called the expenditure an example of misplaced priorities in light of other public needs, including health care funding shortages.

Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom The country’s five largest religious groups, which comprise SICA, continued to play a role in civic life, organize joint religious activities, and encourage religious representation at national and religious events organized by the country. Members of minority faiths continued to express concern that most citizens, who are predominantly Christian and Protestant, would likely support any efforts to declare the country a Christian nation. Section IV.

U.S. Government Policy and Engagement U.S. embassy representatives met with senior government officials and discussed religious tolerance and the proposed constitutional amendment to declare Solomon Islands a Christian country, the role of faith-based organizations in disaster response operations such as during a pandemic, and the inclusion of minority faith groups in government programs supporting religion. Embassy representatives discussed with religious minorities (essentially any group outside SICA and SIGFA) their perceptions of religious freedom and tolerance in the country. Embassy representatives exchanged ideas with leaders of various religious groups, civil society organizations, and government agencies on the importance of religious freedom, regardless of religious affiliation. In March, October, November, and December, U.S. military chaplains and volunteers engaged with religious actors and congregations through participating in religious services, providing support in religious schools, and engaging in community outreach events in underserved and at-risk areas of greater Honiara.

In November and December, the USNS MERCY, under Pacific Partnership 24, visited the country for two weeks with advance teams visiting throughout the year. Pacific Partnership medical teams partnered with the country’s medical system during the 2023 Pacific Games held between November 19 and December 2, while chaplains engaged with religious actors and communities. On This Page search > < EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Section I. Religious Demography Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom Legal Framework Government Practices Section III.

Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom Section IV. U.S. Government Policy and Engagement Tags Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Office of International Religious Freedom Religious Freedom Reports Solomon Islands