
Samoa: Restoring Citizenship Bill passes with unanimous support
With unanimous support, the Citizenship Western Samoa Restoration Amendment Bill has passed its third and final reading in New Zealand Parliament November 20. “Injustice has been fixed to a certain extent, but we’ve got to be happy about it,” former National MP Anae Arthur Anae told RNZ Pacific. “So we’re all rejoicing today, that we got a victory for everybody. Green Party opposition MP Teanau Tuiono submitted the bill. He said it’s, “a significant step for Pasifika justice here in Aotearoa and around the Pacific.” It restores a pathway to citizenship for a group of Samoans stripped of it decades ago. Assuming the Governor General signs it on November 18 people can apply from November 19, National MP Cameron Brewer told parliament. “[This is a] Very very historic day,” Brewer said. Parliament was filled with pride and joy as around 200 people packed in. There was singing, laughter, and tears…...