Court
Senior Lawyer Accuses Head of State of Hijacking People’s Constitutional Rights
Lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu with megaphone and placard saying “we are not stupid” leading the protesters outside court this morning.
By Lagi Keresoma
APIA, SAMOA – 05 MAY 2021: Senior lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu is accusing the Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaleatoa Sualauvi 11 and the Caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi “of hijacking not only the constitutional rights of the Samoan people but the power of the Court.”
She is referring to the Head of States announcement last night declaring void the results of the general election of 9 April 2021 and calling for another election on 21 May 2021.
At Court today, Unasa and a small group of the Samoa Solidarity International Group (SSIG) protested against the order in front of the Court House, Mulinu’u.
“We are here to express how we feel about the chortling (mockery) of the Court and trampling of our human rights,” said Unasa.
She referred to the HOS action “as unlawful and unconstitutional.”
“We are waiting for the Court to exercise its power to come up with a decision and these guys hijacked the constitutional power of the Court and hijacked the people’s rights,” said Unasa.
She was referring to the HOS call for fresh elections whilst the legal process is in progress for the Supreme Court to rule on Article 44(1A) of the Constitution whether the 6th female MP that the Head of State signed the appointment is being challenged in court.
As the protesters were making noise outside the Court, the case between the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi – FAST Party, the elected member, Seu’ula Ioane against the Office of the Electoral Commissioner and the woman the Head of State appointed was in progress inside Court Room 1.
Unasa said the court case would have determined who will be the Government but whilst that is in progress, the HOS intervened and made the call for a new election.
Unasa trusts the Court to continue with the court matters despite all the unlawful actions taken this far.
“People are confused and they should because they are being held at ransom,” she said.
Unasa is calling on the Samoan people and the public to stand up for their rights.