1. Discriminatory Nationality Laws
While the Solomon Islands amended previous discriminatory provisions in its national citizenship legislation with the 2018 Citizenship Act, women still do not have full equality with regards to nationality. For foreign women married to a Solomon Islands national, consent must be gained from the husband in order to apply for naturalization and the woman must renounce her foreign citizenship. Further, citizenship can only be applied for by the father in the case of joint adoption of a child.
2. Lack of Legal Safeguards Against Childhood Statelessness
There is no protection under the citizenship law of Solomon Islands for foundlings or children born to stateless and/or foreign parents to gain citizenship.
3. Citizenship Stripping
Citizenship may be stripped, regardless of how it was acquired if a person is found guilty of a terrorist crime. If a person’s citizenship is decided to be revoked, they can make a written representation attesting to why their citizenship should not be revoked. A Review Board made up of government officials also has the power to review and amend decisions.
4. Administrative Barriers
In 2007, birth registration rates were reported to the UN Statistics Department at 80%. An updated birth registration rate has not yet been reported. Registration inaccuracy for children born to unmarried parents and adolescent mothers is common due to stigma and discrimination. The new Civil Registration database system launched in 2013 improved the rate of birth registration and access in rural areas, however barriers from limited access outside of the capital and late registration fees remained. Especially for remote areas, challenges with infrastructure and geography remain as barriers to birth registration.
