Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, 1999: Somoa

摘要

Samoa is a parliamentary democracy that incorporates certain traditional practices into its legislative system. The Constitution of this Pacific island country of approximately 170,000 persons provides for a head of state, a unicameral legislature composed of family heads, or 'matai,' who are elected by universal suffrage, the protection of land rights and traditional titles, and guarantees of fundamental rights and freedoms. Executive authority is vested in the Head of State with the Government administered by the Cabinet, consisting of the Prime Minister and 12 ministers chosen by him. All laws passed by the Legislative Assembly need the approval of the Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II, who holds the position for life. The Legislative Assembly is to elect his successors for 5-year terms. The country does not have a defense force. The small national police force is controlled by the Government but has little effect beyond Apia, the capital city. Enforcement of rules and security within individual villages is vested in the 'fono' (Council of Matai), which settles most internal disputes. The country is poor with a market-based economy in which more than 60 percent of the work force are employed in the agricultural sector. The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens.