Children's rights

This was revealed by Samoa’s Office of the Ombudsman.

Samoa’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) held community consultations with villages and young people for the Human Rights Report 2023 on safeguarding the rights of children.

To inform its analysis and recommendations, the Office held community consultations in five districts including Gagaifomauga, Fa’asaleleaga, Aleipata Itupa Lalo and Itupa Luga, Vaimauga 4 and Aiga le Tai (Manono-tai & Apolima uta).

The minister, Fa'aolesa Katopau Ainu'u, said the Samoan language should enable parents, guardians and the general public to fully understand the Convention.

Fa'aolesa was responding after the acting Chief Justice and member of the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child, Vui Clarence Nelson, suggested the phrase rights of the child, currently "aia tatau a fanau", be translated as "faamanuiaga faavae".

Vui raised the issue before this week's session of the Committee in Apia.