Samoa

Featured Report

Not Available

Immigration detainees

2019

Not Available

Detained children

2017

Featured Report

Overview

Types of facilities used for migration-related detention
Administrative Ad Hoc Criminal Unknown

Related Reading

September 2020
Samoa Immigration Detention Data Profile (2020)
Read more

26 September 2020

WHO Staff Member Demonstrating Handwashing to Children During the COVID-19 Assessment in Upolu, (WHO,
WHO Staff Member Demonstrating Handwashing to Children During the COVID-19 Assessment in Upolu, (WHO, "COVID-19 Preparedness - Supporting the Vulnerable in Samoa," 23 September 2020, https://www.who.int/westernpacific/about/how-we-work/pacific-support/news/detail/23-09-2020-covid-19-preparedness---supporting-the-vulnerable-in-samoa)

Having closed its borders in March to prevent a domestic outbreak, as of October 2020 Samoa remained one of a small number of countries that had yet to report any Covid-19 cases (along with other Pacific island nations, including Palau [see 29 September update on this platform]). Although the country is a signatory to the Refugee Convention, Samoa has not historically been a destination for asylum seekers or refugees. There is little available information about the treatment of migrants or asylum seekers in immigration enforcement procedures in Samoa.

Last updated:

ENFORCEMENT DATA

Total Migration Detainees: Flow + Stock (year)
Not Available
2019
Total Number of Children Placed in Immigration Detention (Year)
Not Available
2017
Criminal Prison Population (Year)
500
2016
430
2012
Percentage of Foreign Prisoners (Year)
0.5
2007
Prison Population Rate (per 100,000 of National Population)
257
2016
227
2012

POPULATION DATA

Population (Year)
203,774
2020
193,000
2015
International Migrants (Year)
4,035
2019
4,900
2015
International Migrants as Percentage of Population (Year)
2.6
2015
Refugees (Year)
0
2016
0
2015
New Asylum Applications (Year)
0
2016
483
2015
Stateless Persons (Year)
0
2016
0
2015

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA & POLLS

Gross Domestic Product per Capita (in USD)
4,172
2014
Remittances to the Country
140
2014
Net Official Development Assistance (ODA) (in Millions USD)
92.7
2014
Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP)
105 (Medium)
2015

B. Attitudes and Perceptions

MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

GROUNDS FOR MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

LENGTH OF MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION INSTITUTIONS

PROCEDURAL STANDARDS & SAFEGUARDS

DETENTION MONITORS

> National human rights monitoring bodies

> National Preventive Mechanisms (Optional Protocol to UN Convetion against Torture)

> Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

> Governmental monitoring bodies

> International detention monitoring

TRANSPARENCY

READMISSION/RETURN/EXTRADITION AGREEMENTS

COVID-19

HEALTH CARE

COVID-19 DATA

Has the country released immigration detainees as a result of the pandemic?
Unknown
2021
Has the country used legal "alternatives to detention" as part of pandemic detention releases?
Unknown
2021
Has the country Temporarily Ceased or Restricted Issuing Detention Orders?
Unknown
2021
Has the Country Adopted These Pandemic-Related Measures for People in Immigration Detention?
COVID-19 Testing: UnknownVaccinations: UnknownProvision of Masks: UnknownProvision of Hygiene Supplies: UnknownSuspension of Visits: Unknown
2021
Has the Country Locked-Down Previously "Open" Reception Facilities, Shelters, Refugee Camps, or Other Forms of Accommodation for Migrant Workers or Other Non-Citizens?
Unknown
2021
Have cases of COVID-19 been reported in immigration detention facilities or any other places used for immigration detention purposes?
Unknown
2021
Has the Country Ceased or Restricted Deportations/Removals During any Period After the Onset of the Pandemic?
Unknown
2021
Has the Country Released People from Criminal Prisons During the Pandemic?
Unknown
2021
Have Officials Blamed Migrants, Asylum Seekers, or Refugees for the Spread of COVID-19?
Unknown
2021
Has the Country Restricted Access to Asylum Procedures?
Unknown
2021
Has the Country Commenced a National Vaccination Campaign?
Yes
2020
Have Populations of Concern Been Included/Excluded From the National Vaccination Campaign?
People in Immigration Custody (including legal in "alternatives to detention" or at open reception centres): UnknownRefugees: UnknownUndocumented Migrants: UnknownAsylum Seekers: UnknownStateless People: Unknown
2021

INTERNATIONAL TREATIES

International Treaties Ratified
Ratification Year
Observation Date
CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
2019
2019
OP CRC Communications Procedure
2016
2018
VCCR, Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
1987
2017
ICCPR, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
2008
2017
CEDAW, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
1992
2017
CRC, Convention on the Rights of the Child
1994
2017
CRPD, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
2016
2017
ICPED, International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
2012
2017
CRSR, Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
1988
2017
Ratio of relevant international treaties ratified
Ratio: 9/19
Treaty Reservations
Reservation Year
Observation Date
CRC Article 28 1994
1994
2017
Ratio of Complaints Procedures Accepted
Observation Date
0/5
2017

NON-TREATY-BASED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

Relevant Recommendations from the UN Universal Periodic Review
Observation Date
No 2011
2017
No 2016
2017

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

GOVERNANCE SYSTEM

Legal Tradition(s)
Civil law
2017
Customary law
2017

DETENTION COSTS

OUTSOURCING

FOREIGN SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR DETENTION OPERATIONS