Samoa

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Samoa

RightSectionContents
Freedom of AssociationHistoryPart 2 Section 13 of the Constitution lists the rights regarding freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement and residence. The Constitution was first drafted in 1954, in a constitutional convention with New Zealand. The Final draft was approved in 1962, The year of independence.

Britannica. Samoa https://www.britannica.com/place/Samoa-island-nation-Pacific-Ocean/History

CONSTITUTION OF THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/44021/124322/F-82949215/WSM44021.pdf
Freedom of ExpressionHistoryArticle 13(1)(a) of Samoa’s 1962 Constitution is the first assertion of freedom of expression in the country’s history. The article also states that this right can be limited for various reasons including public interests and national security. “Samos’s Constitution of 1962 with Amendments through 2017.” Constitute. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Samoa_2017.pdf?lang=en
Freedom of ReligionHistoryThe Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa was ratified on May 10, 1961. Articles 11, 12, and 15 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. The preamble declares that Samoa is based on Christian principles. Constitutional Convention of Samoa. “Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1960.” Government of Samoa. Government of Samoa, 2017. Last modified 2017. Accessed June 28, 2022. https://www.samoagovt.ws/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Constitution-of-the-Independent-State-of-Samoa-1960.pdf.
Freedom of the PressHistoryWhile freedom of the press is not explicitly mentioned in Samoa’s 1962 Constitution, freedom of expression is protected and “freedom of the press is generally respected” according to Freedom House (Freedom House, "Samoa").
Privacy RightsHistoryThere is no mention of privacy rights in the constitution, which has been updated as recently as 2017 (Constitute Project, “Samoa 1962 rev. 2017” ). Section 50(2) of the Telecommunications Act 2005 protects the privacy of telecommunications customers (Samoa). This was the earliest found reference to privacy rights in Samoa.

https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Samoa_ 2017? lang=en

https://www.regulator.gov.ws/images/Act/TELECOMMUNICATIONS_ACT_ 2005_ -_Eng.pdf
Voting Rights and SuffrageHistoryThe Constitution of Samoa has little mention of universal and direct suffrage because the Head of State is appointed by the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Legislative Assembly are elected to represent the 41 territorial villages, however the specifics of voter laws and processes are not described. It is known, however, that the voting age is 21. (Constitute Project, “Samoa’s Constitution of 1962 with Amendments through 2017” ).