Police have responded to queries about the legality of demonstrations on Friday and Monday by confirming the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P) was authorised to conduct both. 

In an online posting on Saturday, the Ministry of Police Prisons and Correction Services confirmed it received two applications for permits for the vehicle convoy parade last Friday and Monday’s protest march to Mulinu’u.

Friday's "convoy" protest event involved an estimated 200 cars who drove around the country before converging on Mulinu'u. An estimated more than 1000 people demonstrated outside the Government building on Monday morning protesting what they described as the decline of "constitutional Government". 

Police say they processed the permit applications in line with the relevant legislation (the Police Offences Ordinance 1061) and issued the permits accordingly.

“After careful consideration and consistent with past practices and lawful requirements, the [Police], acting pursuant to section 4A of the Police Offences Ordinance 1961, issued permits, with conditions, for the 'peaceful marches' as requested by the H.R.P.P.,” the Ministry’s said in a social media post

“The Criminal Procedure Act 2016 and Crimes Act 2013 were considered in the review, however, it was determined that the relevant provisions of these legislation did not apply in these particular scenarios, as long as nefarious actions do not manifest during the events.”

The Police referred to Article 13 of Samoa’s Constitution  and its guarantees of “freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement and residence." What it said was a further factor in its decision to approve the protest permits. 

“Additionally, as with past similar requests and events, Article 13 of the Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1960 'Rights regarding freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement and residence' played a major contributing factor during the vetting process," the Ministry said. 

“[Samoa Police Prisons and Correction Services] will be closely monitoring both events for compliance and, of course, providing security for the people of Samoa. Working together for a safe Samoa.”

The social media post by the Ministry preceded comments by the Minister of Police Prisons and Correction Services, Faualo Harry Schuster, on Sunday defending his Ministry’s decision to issue the opposition party with the permits.

Responding to concerns raised by the Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson in a letter to the Police Commissioner about the protests' potential to threaten judges' safety and disrupt the business of Government, Faualo said he acknowledged the validity of the safety concerns.

“The practical and implementation pertaining to action on protection of the judges is the responsibility of the Police,” the Minister said.

“Acting Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti has already met with the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration Chief Executive Officer Moliei Simi Vaai regarding this matter, and they have been instructed to do what they should to protect the judges.”