{"id":6362,"date":"2021-05-29T11:29:43","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T22:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/talamua.com\/?p=6362"},"modified":"2021-05-29T11:29:43","modified_gmt":"2021-05-28T22:29:43","slug":"un-urges-rule-of-law-and-democratic-institutions-in-samoa-be-respected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talamua.com\/?p=6362","title":{"rendered":"UN urges rule of law and democratic institutions\u00a0in Samoa\u00a0be respected"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"UN

Samoa is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since 2008.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

28 May 2021<\/strong> \u2013 The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR), has urged that the rule of law and democratic institutions\u00a0in Samoa\u00a0be respected.<\/p>\n

In a statement issued last night, spokesperson Marta Hurtado said \u201cWe are concerned by challenges to the rule of law in Samoa following the 9 April elections.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe\u00a0Secretary-General\u00a0called\u00a0last Monday\u00a0on the country\u2019s leaders to find solutions to overcome the current political situation through dialogue in the best interest of Samoa\u2019s people and institutions,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In the process and legal challenges since the 9 April general elections, the Judiciary had been assaulted by the caretaker Prime Minister and criticised as biased and Samoa\u2019s Attorney General asked that the Supreme Court judges be recused from hearing a crucial constitutional matter next week.<\/p>\n

\u201cOHCHR urges that the rule of law and democratic institutions\u00a0in Samoa\u00a0be respected and protected, and in particular the key role played by\u00a0an\u00a0independent judiciary.\u00a0\u00a0We\u00a0emphasize that Samoan judges must be able to undertake their functions without pressure, interference or personal attacks from any quarter,\u201d said Hurtado.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt is a fundamental right to take action through the courts, including to challenge election results, in accordance with the applicable legal framework. At the same time, decisions of the Supreme Court should be respected, in a manner consistent with international human rights norms.”<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cSamoa is\u00a0a\u00a0party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since 2008 and has thus committed itself to safeguard access to justice and the independence of the judiciary,\u201d Hurtado\u2019s statement ended.<\/p>\n