Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The islands' isolation and meager resources, including poor soil and limited arable land, severely limit prospects for economic development. There were no reports of political or other extrajudicial killings. There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. On some outer islands, the island councils occasionally order strokes with palm fronds to be administered for public drunkenness and other minor offenses, such as petty thievery.
Prisons meet minimum international standards.
There are separate facilities for men and women. Family members and church representatives are allowed access to prisoners. The question of monitoring prison conditions by local human rights groups has not arisen, and no policy concerning such monitoring has been formulated. The Constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile, and the Government respects these prohibitions. The judiciary is independent and free of governmental interference.