Samoa’s Efforts to Combat Organized Crime: A Mixed Bag

Samoa, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, has been working to strengthen its laws and institutions to combat organized crime, but progress remains uneven.

Positive Developments

Samoa is a party to several international treaties and conventions aimed at combating transnational organized crime.
The country has a robust legal framework in place, with laws criminalizing participation in organized crime groups and various forms of organized crime, including money laundering and human trafficking.

Challenges Remain

Concerns have been raised over a proposed bill that would give the executive branch the power to dismiss judges without grounds or due process.
The prison system faces challenges, including overcrowding and understaffing, which threaten the security of penal institutions.

Law Enforcement Efforts

Samoa has established a Transnational Crime Unit through the Pacific Transnational Crime Network, supported by Australia and New Zealand.
While there are no domestic laws specifically targeting organized crime, the country relies heavily on international assistance, particularly in border security.

Economic Vulnerabilities

Samoa’s economy remains vulnerable to money laundering and other financial crimes.
The country was placed on the European Union’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes in 2017, but has since made progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering framework.

Weaknesses in Organized Crime Prevention Framework

Samoa’s organized crime prevention framework is relatively weak.
Victim support measures are minimal.
The country lacks resources to tackle money laundering effectively.

Press Environment

The press environment in Samoa is generally free, with an increasing number of print and broadcast media outlets operating unhindered.
However, criminal libel was reintroduced in 2017, which has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to freedom of speech.

Conclusion

While Samoa has made some progress in combating organized crime, more needs to be done to strengthen its laws, institutions, and international cooperation to effectively combat this threat.