Freedom in the World 1999 - Micronesia

1999 Scores

Status: Free
Freedom Rating: 1.5
Civil Liberties: 2
Political Rights: 1

Overview

The country held congressional elections for its single-member districts in March 1999. In May, Leo Falcam, the former vice president, was chosen to replace acting president Jacob Nena as the new president.

The Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607 islands in the archipelago of the Caroline Islands located in the north Pacific Ocean. In 1899, Germany purchased the Carolines from Spain; and Japan seized the islands in 1915 and ruled them from 1920 on under a League of Nations mandate. During World War II, the United States occupied the islands, and they became a part of the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific in 1947.

In 1978, four districts of the Trust Territory, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae, approved a constitution to create the Federated States of Micronesia. The United States granted the islands sovereignty in 1979, upon which the constitution took effect and the country elected its first president, Tosiwo Nakayama. In 1982, the territory concluded a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which came into force in 1986. Under the terms of the Compact, the country is fully sovereign, but the United States is responsible for defense until at least 2001. The U.S. obtains the right to maintain military installations in the islands and in exchange provides substantial financial assistance for development and other purposes. In 1990, the United Nations formally dissolved the trusteeship.

In 1991, congress elected Bailey Olter of Pohnpei state, a former vice president under Nakayama, as the country's third president. Olter was elected to a second term in 1995 over Senator Jacob Nena of Kosrae state. In July 1996, Olter suffered a stroke, and in November, congress ruled him unable to fulfill his responsibilities and installed Nena as acting president.

The economy is dependent on fishing, subsistence agriculture, tourism, and U.S. aid. In anticipation of the expiration of the current Compact in 2001, the government has been trying to bring in more foreign investment and expand the private sector. The government is keenly concerned about the effects of global climate change on the islands. It is one of 16 countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (84 signatories as of October 1999), which urges national and international actions to control and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia can change their government democratically. The constitution provides for a unicameral, 14-senator congress. One senator is elected at-large from each of the four states for a four-year term, with the remaining ten senators elected for two-year terms from single-member districts based on population. The president and vice president are selected by congress from among its four at-large members. Although an informal rotation system for the top elected offices of the country is in practice, the alleged political dominance of Chuuk state, which holds nearly half of the population and a proportionate number of congressional seats, has created tensions with the three smaller states. Politics are based on state, clan, and individual loyalties. Political parties are permitted, but none has been formed.

Increased press freedom was seen in 1998. A new independent weekly newspaper, The Island Tribune, which was launched in December 1997, explored controversial and politically sensitive issues. This positive development contrasts with the events of 1997, when congress adopted a resolution calling for the deportation of Sherry O'Sullivan, a Canadian citizen who was the editor of the now defunct FSM News, which was then the country's only independent newspaper. O'Sullivan charged that the action was the result of her exposures of alleged government corruption.

Each of the four state governments and a religious organization operate radio stations, and the residents of Pohnpei have access to satellite television. The federal government publishes a biweekly information bulletin, The National Union, and the state governments produce their own newsletters. Other papers, including the Pohnpei Business News and Micronesia Weekly, generally avoid sensitive topics. Religious freedom is respected in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.

Freedom of assembly and association is respected, but there are few nongovernmental organizations other than churches and student organizations. Workers have the right to form or join associations, but no unions have been formed because of the small size of the wage economy. There are no laws specifically addressing collective bargaining.

The judiciary is independent, and trials are conducted fairly. The local police are under the control of the civil authorities. However, in several cases, police were found guilty of mistreating citizens and were subsequently dismissed from the force. Prison conditions meet minimum international standards.

Domestic abuse is a problem. State and societal responses are inadequate as it is commonly regarded as a private, family matter. The number of physical and sexual assault cases against women outside the family context has been increasing. Women are increasingly active in the private sector and in lower- and mid-level government positions, but they remain underrepresented at the highest levels of government. Poor treatment of ethnic minorities in Kapinga Marangi in the Pohnpei state has worsened.