Every December 10 Samoa joins nations around the
world to celebrate human rights Day. This year the Ombudsman Office as the
National Human Rights Institution hosted a public engagement event in
partnership with Offices housed at the NPF Plaza Building to commemorate
Human Rights Day 2020 on the theme A’o toe timata le upega – Fa’ataua le isi
tagata soifua (Recover Better – Stand up for Human Rights). The international day
remembers the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights a milestone
document that asserts to every human being rights and freedoms we are all
entitled to simply by being humans. It is also the last day that ends the 16 Days of
Activism campaign to combat violence against women an issue that constitutes a
grave violation of human rights and remains one of the greatest challenges to
achieving equality.
The Ombudsman Afioga Maiava Iulai Toma in his remarks recognised how human
rights remind us simple values; the importance of being kind, having mutual
respect for one another, equality and non-discrimination. “E taua i le soifuaga o le
Samoa le fa’aaloalo, le alofa, le fesoasoani o le tasi i le tasi ma le lē fa’ailoga tagata..o
agatausili taua nei e mafai ona susulu mai i o tatou uiga ma a tatou galuega fa’atino,
ao tatou alo atu e fa’afetaiaia le Koviti 19 atoa ma le toe fausiaina o lo tatou
lumanai i le agai i luma”.
The public engagement event saw Offices housed in SNPF Plaza competing in three
mini competitions. Competition 1 was a uniform colour coordination photo.
Competition 2 required teams to produce a short clip to reflect the values of
kindness, equality, non-discrimination, inclusive participation and mutual respect.
Competition 3 was a Quiz on Basic Human Rights knowledge which engaged
members of the public. The quiz was based on questions on freedoms and rights in
Samoa’s Constitution, rights in contact with Police, as well as understanding
linkages of human rights with work of various Government Ministry and NGOs.
The Quiz was conducted with the purpose of raising awareness on rights and
responsibilities unpacking some common misconceptions surrounding the
exercising of rights.
We acknowledge the support of the public who joined the celebrations particularly
the support of our Plaza community Offices Digicel, OEC, MPE, SPBD & Frankies
Supermarket for their support.
Manuia le Aso mo Tagata Soifua o le Lalolagi.