The leader of the Human Rights Protection Party Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has laughed off at claims by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa that the Human Rights Protection Party was neglecting it’s so called “mavaega tu’ua” in Parliament.
“That’s a typical ‘Johnny come late’ comment from my former HRPP deputy leader who does not remember what the HRPP stands for and its record of achievements in protecting the human rights of the underprivileged, including women and children.”
In a press statement issued over the weekend, says Tuilaepa reminded the Prime Minister that the HRPP government established the Ministry for Women, their empowerment through legislation to guarantee to kingdom come the entry of women to Samoa’s Parliament, the appointment of many talented and educated women on merit to become Chief Executive Officers of government ministries and corporations.
“Over 40 colleges and high schools throughout all the districts of Samoa were established during the HRPP administration as well as the upgrading of district hospitals to improve education and upgrade the health services for our people in rural areas,” he said.
The former Prime Minister for close to 23 years said one of the most important milestones during the HRPP government era to safeguard the rights of women and children was the setting up of the Family Court to expedite cases involving family disputes and to curb domestic violence.
The HRPP was formed in 1979 following the dismissals of many CEOs by the government at the time.
The Opposition party states the reason for the name of their Party – the Human Rights Protection Party, is a reminder to all future governments that HRPP was born out of the injustices done to public servants by government leaders who abuse their powers and ignore the rule of law, said Tuilaepa.
Tuilaepa further accusses the Prime Minister as the mastermind behind their suspension, a result of a complaint filed by the Deputy Prime Minister “to negate the harmony agreement that we both signed early this year now that she is clear of the General Elections corrupt criminal charges the HRPP filed against her.
The Speakers rulings denying also the human rights of two HRPP women MPs to take their oaths as well as 17 HRPP MPs in September 2021 until the Court overturned this blatant abuse of power and directed that we take our oaths on 17 September 2021, can now also be understood where the directive came from.”
“No secret can remain forever in a small society like Samoa and eventually no leader can continue to hide forever whilst directing others to do her dirty bidding.”
“Eventually the light will shine in the darkness for everyone to see”.
“The PM ought to remember that she can fool some people some of the time but she cannot fool everyone all the time,” he cautioned.
