Christian state

The Constitutional Amendment Act was passed unanimously by parliament last week.

The legislation had faced criticism but the Samoa Observer reports the Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, has quashed any likelihood of the measure endangering freedom of religion in Samoa.

The paper quotes the attorney general saying the amendment did not amend, alter or change the rights of people to exercise their religious beliefs as they deem fit.

He says this individual right in the constitution remains untouched.

RNZ reports the bill to amend the constitution received almost universal support from MPs during its second reading in parliament last week.

National University of Samoa Director of Samoan Studies Leasiolagi Malama Meleisea said it’s unclear whether the bill will guarantee religious freedom as the original constitution intended.

He said the bill reflects concerns about the influence of other religions.

"They are framing their concern about Islamism and so on in a very emotional way," Leasiolagi said.