land rights protest

Hundreds gather in Samoa to protest about land rights

A spokesperson for the Samoa Solidarity International Group said 700 people came from across Savai'i to push for a repeal of the Lands and Titles Registration Act 2008.

According to Unasa Iuni Sapolu, the act allows communally held customary lands to be leased to third parties without the consent of all landowners.

She said this alienated some of the owners from their land and the opportunities it offered.

Unasa argued that the government should take heed of the strong showing at the protest at the port town of Salelologa.