Yesterday, Samoa’s new Narcotics Lab was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi. The ceremony was presided over by the Attorney-General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai. The new laboratory is located at the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, and is presently equipped with capabilities to test for marijuana, but this capacity will be increased in the future to other drugs. The Australian government has contributed to the funding of the new lab. The new lab will strengthen the abilities of the Samoa police with regards to enforcement of drug laws. I attended the opening with the Ombudsman, Maiava Iulai Toma, and my counterpart, Hai-Yuean Tualima, who is the Human Rights Education and Communications Officer here in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Pictured here are: Ombudsman, Maiava Iulai Toma, Hai-Yuean Tualima, (Human Rights Education and Communications Officer) and me outside the lab. View of the audience gathered for the opening, including the Australian High Commissioner Dr Stephen Henningham in orange in the front row. The Attorney-General and the Prime Minister.