The Independent Group says it welcomed legal perspectives from Dr Transform Aqorau and Dr Joseph Foukona on the Solomon Islands-United States Ship Rider Agreement.
In a statement, the Group said the legal and policy perspectives shared by the pair have enriched an important public debate.
However, the Group clarified that its earlier statement was not a criticism of the legal validity or operational value of the agreement itself.
“Rather, our primary concern is the broader constitutional principle that Parliament should scrutinise international treaties and agreements,” the statement said.
It added Prime Minister Matthew Wale has publicly stated that international treaties and agreements should be tabled in Parliament.
“The commitment, made following his official visits to Australia and New Zealand, marks a significant shift from previous governments, which generally treated treaty negotiations and signing as matters for the Executive without parliamentary oversight.”
The Independent Group said it fully supports the Prime Minister’s position, describing it as consistent with the GREAT Coalition’s commitment to greater transparency, accountability and democratic governance.
“If ‘change is coming’ is to be more than a slogan, Parliament must be given its rightful constitutional role in scrutinising international agreements with legal, financial or strategic implications for Solomon Islands,” the Group said.
The Group also noted that while the United States recognises many provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as customary international law, it is not a State Party to the convention.
It said this raises legitimate policy questions that Parliament should have the opportunity to examine when considering agreements involving maritime jurisdiction and law enforcement cooperation.
The Group further said Parliament should assess how bilateral agreements interact with existing regional commitments, including the Niue Treaty and its associated cooperative mechanisms.
“Solomon Islands has invested significantly in regional maritime surveillance and fisheries enforcement.
“Parliament should ensure future bilateral agreements strengthen, rather than duplicate or unintentionally undermine, these established regional frameworks,” it said.
The Independent Group also argued that if Ship Rider Agreements are considered an effective tool to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, transnational crime, human trafficking and drug trafficking, the Government should remain open to pursuing similar arrangements with other trusted partners where they serve Solomon Islands’ national interest.
Referring to Dr Aqorau’s article, the Group said it also presents an opportunity for broader policy discussion.
It said the Government should consider whether a similar maritime cooperation agreement with the People’s Republic of China could complement existing partnerships and further strengthen Solomon Islands’ ability to police one of the Pacific’s largest exclusive economic zones.
The Independent Group reaffirmed its commitment to an independent foreign policy guided by Solomon Islands’ national interest, respect for international law, stronger regional cooperation and meaningful parliamentary oversight of matters of national significance.
