The Government provides first asylum to approximately 1,000 to 2,000 people from Papua New Guinea's Bougainville Island, who fled the conflict there several years earlier. Although they have not been granted formal refugee status, they have been allowed to remain. Most reside in Honiara with friends, while several hundred live in Red Cross-administered care centers elsewhere. The Government cooperated with the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees in locating asylum in the Netherlands for the Honiara-resident spokesman for the Bougainville rebels in May when his safety could no longer be assured. The Right of Citizens to Change Their Government.
Citizens have the right to change their government through periodic free elections.
Since independence in 1978, there have been four parliamentary elections, most recently in June 1993, and several elections for provincial and local councils. On four occasions changes of government resulted from either parliamentary votes of no confidence or the resignation of the Prime Minister. Suffrage is universal over 18 years of age. While the country's democratic commitment appears to remain strong, it was brought into question when the Deputy Prime Minister publicly stated in July that party politics destabilizes the country and causes disunity among the people. Traditional male dominance has limited the role of women in government.