15.
16.
Whistleblower
protection
17.
Right of access
to information
18.
19.
20.
Restrictions
and limitations
21.
bullying, based on the principle of
corporate responsibility.
The Government to ensure that any
measures to restrict or limit internet access
on the basis of child safety online must take
into account a balanced approach where
restrictions on communications conform to
strict tests of necessity and proportionality.
The Government to prioritize finalizing
negotiations and accelerate Samoa’s
accession to the Budapest Convention
informed by a comprehensive review of
Samoa’s legislative framework and context.
The Government is encouraged to adopt
laws for the protection of those who blow
the whistle or disclose information on
important matters of public concern not
limited to matters of suspected
irregularities or wrongdoing in relation to
public finances as provided by the PFMA.
For example, information relating to
substantial and specific danger to public
health and safety including reporting of
domestic violence, unsafe workplaces,
systemic harassment etc.
The Government to accelerate the
finalization of the Freedom of Information
Policy and subsequently a legislation to
regulate access to official information by
the public. To ensure efficient
implementation, any freedom of
information law must be done in
incremental steps.
The Government to ensure that any
freedom of information policy or law must
be supported by the right infrastructure
and contain robust security measures for
managing information.
The Government to ensure that clear and
robust procedures and guidelines are put in
place for sharing official information which
must be governed by the principle of
maximum disclosure.
The Government is encouraged to ensure
that any restrictions on the freedom of
speech and expression are narrowly
defined as per ICCPR Article 19(3) and must
State of Human Rights Report 2021
OAG, SLRC,
MCIT
2-3 years
OAG, MCIT
Immediate
OAG, PSC, Audit
Office,
OMB/NHRI
2-3 years
MCIT, PSC
Immediate
MCIT, PSC
Immediate Ongoing
MCIT, PSC,
MPMC
2-3 years
OAG, SLRC
2-3 years
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