Its discrimination
Letter to Samoa Observer published 08/10/10
It’s discrimination PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 08 October 2010 11:06
Dear editor - It is a sad situation when the Prime Minister and his HRPP reject the input of Samoans overseas to the ‘political development’ of their country. Why is this? In contrast, the Tautua Party represented by MP Palusalue Fa’apo II, embraces our continuing contribution to building Samoa.
At a recent visit to Australia, the Tautua MP from Safata Constituency spoke publicly and reassured Samoans that the Tautua Party will see to it that Samoans overseas will participate in General Elections of Samoa in their countries of residence.
The Tautua Party “if elected as Government, will put in place the necessary procedures to enable the constitutional rights of our brothers and sisters” Palusalue said.
The Tautua MP shares his concerns about the current requirement for overseas matais to reside in Samoa for three years before they can run as candidates in general elections.
“It is discrimination” he told the listening matais. At a time when families in Samoa need the support of their families and relatives overseas it is unwise of the PM and his HRPP to devalue the overseas input
. We cannot leave the welfare of our aigas totally to the PM and the HRPP to look after.
We are aware of the ‘poor’ the ‘sick’ the ‘vulnerable’ neglected by HRPP policies. We are aware of legislation deliberately passed by the HRPP MPs in Parliament because there is no Opposition and despite “no no” cries from the public.
How can we keep quiet whilst the HRPP government disobeys the supreme law of the land in relation to our customary lands? How can we keep quiet when our islands are being overtaken by the globalised ‘neo-liberal’ economy with a simple ‘nod’ and ‘tick’ from our own Samoan economists?
We have to speak up to safeguard our Constitution, the one our ancestors prepared in order to protect the interests of all Samoans around the world. No Mr Prime Minister, you cannot deny our rights.
Check the first words in the Preamble of the Constitution and the list of all the names who put their signatories to it. We are the modern voice of our ancestors.
We speak to inform our brothers and sisters, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, cousins and our aiga potopoto . “Do not be deceived by the HRPP. Look with understanding and you will see the truth”
May the Holy Spirit of our Lord preside over Samoa and Samoans around the world between now and 4 March 2011.
Ma lo’u fa’aaloalo lava.
Meripa Olive Weir (Still a Samoan)
It’s discrimination PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 08 October 2010 11:06
Dear editor - It is a sad situation when the Prime Minister and his HRPP reject the input of Samoans overseas to the ‘political development’ of their country. Why is this? In contrast, the Tautua Party represented by MP Palusalue Fa’apo II, embraces our continuing contribution to building Samoa.
At a recent visit to Australia, the Tautua MP from Safata Constituency spoke publicly and reassured Samoans that the Tautua Party will see to it that Samoans overseas will participate in General Elections of Samoa in their countries of residence.
The Tautua Party “if elected as Government, will put in place the necessary procedures to enable the constitutional rights of our brothers and sisters” Palusalue said.
The Tautua MP shares his concerns about the current requirement for overseas matais to reside in Samoa for three years before they can run as candidates in general elections.
“It is discrimination” he told the listening matais. At a time when families in Samoa need the support of their families and relatives overseas it is unwise of the PM and his HRPP to devalue the overseas input
. We cannot leave the welfare of our aigas totally to the PM and the HRPP to look after.
We are aware of the ‘poor’ the ‘sick’ the ‘vulnerable’ neglected by HRPP policies. We are aware of legislation deliberately passed by the HRPP MPs in Parliament because there is no Opposition and despite “no no” cries from the public.
How can we keep quiet whilst the HRPP government disobeys the supreme law of the land in relation to our customary lands? How can we keep quiet when our islands are being overtaken by the globalised ‘neo-liberal’ economy with a simple ‘nod’ and ‘tick’ from our own Samoan economists?
We have to speak up to safeguard our Constitution, the one our ancestors prepared in order to protect the interests of all Samoans around the world. No Mr Prime Minister, you cannot deny our rights.
Check the first words in the Preamble of the Constitution and the list of all the names who put their signatories to it. We are the modern voice of our ancestors.
We speak to inform our brothers and sisters, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, cousins and our aiga potopoto . “Do not be deceived by the HRPP. Look with understanding and you will see the truth”
May the Holy Spirit of our Lord preside over Samoa and Samoans around the world between now and 4 March 2011.
Ma lo’u fa’aaloalo lava.
Meripa Olive Weir (Still a Samoan)
posted by Meripa Weir at 2:56 PM
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