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Asia and Oceania
Republic of Marshall Islands |
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Country information
Politics
The Republic of Marshall Islands is a constitutional republic.
The legislative branch of government consists of the Nitijela (Parliament). The Nitijela has 33 members from 24 districts elected for 4-year terms. Members are called Senators. The Executive comprises the President and the Cabinet. The President is elected by majority vote from the membership off the Nitijela; he selects the Cabinet (currently 10 ministers plus the President) from members of the Nitijela. There are four Court systems comprising of a Supreme Court and a High Court plus district and community courts and the traditional rights court. The 13-member Council of Chiefs (Iroij) serves a largely consultative function on matters of custom and traditional practice.
In November 2007 voters elected the parliament (Nitijela) in generally free and fair multiparty elections, although there were concerns about the recounting of some ballot boxes. The parliament elected Litokwa Tomeing, president in January 2008.
Human rights
The government generally respects the human rights of its citizens. However, some areas of concern are prison conditions, government corruption, violence against women, child abuse, and lack of worker protections. There have been some accounts of racial discrimination, particularly against Chinese nationals.
The government shows a commitment to children's welfare through its programmes of free education and health care, but these have not been adequate to meet the needs of the country's increasing population.