FAST Party as Intervenor in HRPP case against selection of Fono Fa’avae Chairpersons

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 4 July 2026 – The Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party has applied to be an intervenor in the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) that claims the appointments of Fono Faavae chairpersons were discriminatory.

When the matter was recalled yesterday, the court noted that only the FAST party had submitted an application after the Court accepted a suggestion from HRPP counsel, Dr. Rodney Harrison KC to allow members of the other political parties to be ex-parte intervenors should they wish to.

In yesterday’s proceedings, the court confirmed that only the FAST party had applied and Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarker gave until 3.00pm yesterday for other parties or Independent MPs to apply should they want to.

Yesterday’s proceeding was to confirm if the Court order on 18 June 2026 had been satisfied.

Such orders included the submission of applications, filing of response of defence to the statement of claim by HRPP, providing files, documents and casebooks to the court and to the parties involved.

The HRPP statement of claim is against the Government and office of the Attorney General Office and claims the appointments of Chairpersons for the District Councils were discriminatory.

The hearing is scheduled for 13 July 2023.

Background to the case
HRPP filed for a judicial review on the Government’s District Development Project operation manual criteria for appointing chairperson for each district.

Whilst the matter was pending, HRPP applied for an interim injunction order to stop the implementation of the project and the appointment of chairpersons as biased until the judicial review was heard.

The Chief Justice, Satiu Simativa Perese dismissed the applications for an injunction order.

He pointed out that the District Development Project Manual was a living document and is the framework where guidelines and policies for the project are highlighted and that call is make by the Government.