About 200 people marched through Samoa's capital, Apia, on Saturday, protesting against land laws. Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
About 200 people marched through Samoa's capital, Apia, on Saturday, protesting against nine-year-old land laws.
They were marching against the Registration of Land and Titles Act of 2008, which requires the registration of public land, freehold land, and customary leases and licences.
Critics say the law violates customary land rights by breaking communal land into individual - private - titles.
A paramount chief, lawyer, and former opposition politician, Leota Su'atele Manusegi, who was at the protest, says the law opens land for sale and exploitation.
"I want to give it to our own people, not to foreigners who will be here picking up land so they can build their business here and then go home to their own country leaving us stranded."
Leota says the protest leaders plan to present a petition to parliament calling for the law's repeal.
The prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, denies that the law violates customary lands, saying the legislation applies only to freehold land.
There was a heavy police presence in Apia as about 200 people turned out to protest against land laws. Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Protesters say the 2008 law violate customary land rights. Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia