OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, SAMOA Samoa’s Second Universal Periodic Review ANNEX A: Compiled Recommendations Recommendation 1: That the Samoan Government should prioritise signing and ratifying:  The Convention Against Torture (CAT).  The Optional Protocol on the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).  The Optional Protocol for the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).  The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).  The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on a communications procedure.  The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Recommendation 2: That the Samoan Government ratify the CRPD into domestic legislation. Recommendation 3: The Samoan Government, in collaboration with the NHRI, should conduct more human rights awareness activities in order to dispel misconceptions about human rights in Samoa. Recommendation 4: That the Samoan Government, in collaboration with the NHRI and relevant Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) raise awareness of gender role stereotyping and its effects on women, targeting both men and women at all levels of society. Recommendation 5: That the Samoan Government, in consultation with the NHRI, investigate appropriate methods to increase women’s participation in decision making within the village. Recommendation 6: That the Samoan Government work with relevant NGOs to promote family-focussed economic empowerment programmes, particularly in rural areas. Recommendation 7: That the Samoan Government work with village councils, relevant authorities and engaged NGOs to increase public awareness of the FSA and how to engage in its legal proceedings. Recommendation 8: That the Samoan Government review the FSA for the inclusion of protections for persons who report incidence of violence, including sexual violence. Recommendation 9: That the Samoan Government collects statistical data on domestic and sexual violence disaggregated by sex, age, region, and victim/perpetrator relationship, to be reported on a quarterly basis directly to NHRI. Recommendation 10: That the Samoan Government collaborate with the NHRI and relevant NGOs to deliver a community education campaign to dispel the misconception about the rights of the child. 14