Outdated laws need attention

Written by Mathew Lemisio
Friday, 08 February 2008
Justice Vui says, the sooner the better Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson says the sooner our law makers address the issue of outdated laws in our country’s law books, the better. His Honour told Newsline yesterday that there are numerous laws that needed to be updated to the 21st Century. “Some of our laws are from the time of our independence,” Justice Vui said. Last month, His Honour convicted and sentenced 25-year-old, Lui Winterstein to five years imprisonment on charges of sodomy and indecent assault on another male. Winterstein engaged in sexual activities with a young fellow inmate at the Olomanu Juvenile Center at Mulifanua. He could have been charged with the much serious charge of rape but under our current laws it’s impossible. Section 47 of the Samoa Crimes Ordinance Act, which was enacted a year before our independence, defined rape as only sexual intercourse by a male on a female without consent. A sexual intercourse by a male on another male is not considered as rape in Samoa as oppose to other countries where their laws governing rape has been amended to include the latter. Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai has told Newsline that his office takes any views by judges for review in current laws very seriously. He said he would refer the matter to the law reforming committee. The move pleased Justice Vui. “I’m very happy that they have taken the issue onboard and have taken the proper channels in addressing this issue,” His Honour said. He added the sooner the better. Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Friday, 08 February 2008 )

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Polls

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

Google Satellite Map of Eveni Carruthers

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

"Where the natives buy and sell"

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

Latest Comments

Urgent Call For Cost Of Living Relief
Praise the Lord! Being to Samoa for the last 5mths really opened my eyes to reality over there, it b...

Urgent Call For Cost Of Living Relief
I really applauded the Tautua Party for their Caring Hearts and Concern about the price of food for ...

Deadly Catch For Fisherman
Cause or Root of the problem "ALCOHOL"

Being under the influence of alcohol "DANGEROUS". Caused ...

Joe Failua Launches Album at Home
Hi my name is Lepupa Seki a au musika i le fa'alogologo..... taumafai pea e aveave ai lau taleni mai...

Manu Samoa In Tough Pool For 2011 World Cup
whats with all the sad comments are you people real samoans? we have beat wales before so why not ag...

Social Network

Join the Newsline Team on Bebo

www.bebo.com/newslineS

Become part of the Newsline Bebo Network

Get News via your Email

Subscribe to Samoa Live News Headlines by Email

Get the Latest News on your Blackberry or PDA

Subscribe in a reader

Sounds from Samoa

Listen to broadcasts from LiveSamoa.com
Courtesy of Plantation Feet, SBC(540am) and
Radio Polynesia(99.9 FM)

http://www.samoalive.com/sliveradio.asx

Live on Weekdays from 8am to 9am

Have your Say

We want your Opinion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
If you would like to submit a letter for possible
publication in the print edition of the Newsline,
please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We want your News

Submit News from your Area
If you would like to submit News for possible
publication in both the online and print version
of Newsline please feel free to email us
at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Become a News Blogger
Have a passion for writing? Interested in
writing articles for Newsline? Email us
at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
We are looking for Bloggers from
around the world to contribute to our site.