Samoa

APF membership

The Office of the Ombudsman was admitted as an associate member of the APF in 2013 (18th Annual Meeting). It became a full member in 2016 following an accreditation decision of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.

Establishment

The Ombudsman of Samoa was originally established by the Komesina o Sulufaiga (Ombudsman) Act of 1988. The Act was amended in May 2013 to incorporate the functions of a national human rights institution.

Objectives and mandate

The Act specifies that the objectives of the Ombudsman are:

(a) to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in the administration and decision making of Ministries and organisations;

(b) to promote and protect the dignity of humankind enshrined in the Constitution, international human rights law, as the foundation of a fair, just and peaceful society".

The Ombudsman's mandate is specified in Part 4, Division 1 of the Act and includes broad powers to promote and protect rights.

The provision closely follows the requirements established in section A of the Paris Principles, and also includes a broad power to do "anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any . . . other human rights functions under this Act."

Human rights are defined in section 2 to include any rights contained in:

(a) Part II of the Constitution and other laws of Samoa

(b) customary international law

(c) treaties and conventions listed in Schedule 1.

Membership

Ms Luamanuvao Katalaina Sapolu
Ombudsman

Mr Maualaivao Pepe Seiuli
Assistant Ombudsman