Reparations – 2001
2001
The Solomon Islands Government began issuing compensation to victims of conflict on July 24, 2001, with 300 victims to receive payment.[1] However, allegations of corruption and fraud plagued the process, and a task force to investigate the compensation payments was formulated in August. In addition, payments were suspended in August because all the funds from the first installment of compensation loans from Taiwan ($8 million) had been used. The $8 million had funded approximately 600 compensation claims. [2] In September, a review of the Townsville Peace Agreement suspended compensation payments for death, injury and harassment claims indefinitely citing the need to reformulate compensation policy.[3] The government resumed compensation payments in late October once additional funds were received. However, these funds were quickly used. In November, payments were delayed as the government refused to transfer the appropriate funds to the bank responsible for allocating payments.[4]
[1] “Solomon Islands: Security tightened for compensation pay-day,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, July 23, 2001.
[2] “Solomon Islands: Probe announced into ‘bogus’ compensation claims,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, August 24, 2001.
[3] “Solomon Islands: Peace deal review moots compensation in kind rather than cash,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, September 20, 2001.
[4] “Solomon Islands: Crime reported rising, payouts delayed,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, November 12, 2001.