5 Dec 2017

Samoa govt says it could bring back corporal punishment

10:01 am on 5 December 2017

The Samoan government has again raised the prospect of making corporal punishment legal again.

Samoa's PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Samoa's PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Corporal punishment was abolished many years ago in Samoa but the government has frequently raised the possibility of bringing it back to curb violence involving school students.

During his regular radio on 2AP the Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, said legislation was being prepared but he didn't say when or if it will be introduced.

He called on all Samoans to help overcome the student violence issue but if a solution is not forthcoming, then government would do something about the problem.

While Samoa has signed up to the conventions on the rights of a child, Tuila'epa said there are still many UN countries that practise corporal punishment.

The prime minister said the new legislation could also address the long standing issue of child vendors on Apia streets.