The Office of the Ombudsman also the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) was
recently re-accredited as an ‘A status’ Institution by the Global Alliance of National
Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). The Office submitted its statement of
compliance in June 2021 and was reviewed during the GANHRI Sub-Committee on
Accreditation (SCA) session held virtually from 18 to 29 October 2021. The
recommendation by SCA was publicly released on 2 November 2021.
GANHRI is a network of NHRIs from all around the world which coordinates the
relationship between NHRIs and the United Nations (UN) human rights system. It is
the only non-UN organization whose internal review accreditation system grants
access for an NHRI to various committees within the United Nations, including the UN
Human Rights Council.
The ‘A’ level rating means that Samoa’s NHRI retains its credibility as an NHRI and can
continue to engage and independently participate in various UN human rights bodies
including the UN Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies. It also means that
the Office’s participating rights in GANHRI and in the Asia Pacific Region as a full
member of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) of National Human Rights Institution remains.
Ombudsman, Luamanuvao Katalaina Sapolu says “the Sub-Committee's decision is the
culmination of efforts by this Office over 5 years (since the last accreditation in 2016)
reflecting persistence and tenacity in delivering results that are compliant with the
Paris Principles against numerous challenges and meager resources." Ombudsman,
Luamanuvao Sapolu.
She further adds, “while we are delighted with the outcome there is a lot of work to be
done going forward to ensure that we deliver on recommendations put forward by the
SCA Committee before the next re-accreditation process which is in 5 years from now”
Ombudsman, Luamanuvao Sapolu.
The result comes as Samoa completed the Universal Periodic Review by Government
this week which is a reflection of Samoa's tremendous efforts to meet her
international obligations on human rights.
The Office acknowledges the support of APF throughout its preparation for the re-
accreditation process and over the 5 years to ensure that we consistently work to

strengthen our compliance with the Paris Principles the standards governing the
independence, jurisdiction, mandate and composition of NHRIs.
The Office is in the process of submitting its 7 th State of Human Rights Report to the
Legislative Assembly on the status of freedom of opinion and expression in Samoa.