Decolonizing Neo-Colonialism in Samoa's Social Structure and the Justice System

• In Event: Emerging Issues in Criminal Justice Policy: The International Perspective

Abstract

The European colonization of Samoa, formerly Western Samoa, ended in January 1962 when Samoa formally raised its flag as the sovereign State of Samoa and proudly declared its independence from colonial rule. A thorough review of the literature reveals that the vacuum that European colonization created by its departure from Samoa was subtly and intentionally filled by a new social structure and a Euro-centric justice system. The latter relegates Samoan traditional law-making, despite the evidence of its usefulness, to tokenism at best, and inferiority at worst. Furthermore, the Samoan government’s reliance on foreign aid and loan money compromised the government’s moral responsibility to protect its people and their treasures – land and titles. This paper discusses the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Monetary Group (IMG)’s roles in solidifying the Samoan government’s intentions and plans to commodify and commercialize Samoan customary lands. The paper also proposes that instituting Restorative Justice within the Samoa Criminal Justice System can reverse neo-colonisation in Samoa.

Author

• Laumua Tunufa'i, Auckland University of Technology