A register of sex offenders is a step closer in Samoa after the Sex Offenders Registration Act was signed into law.
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The Samoa Observer paper reported the legislation was inspired by Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson five years ago when he appealed to the government to establish a register.
He said the law was essential for the protection of women and children in Samoa.
Justice Vui credited the former Attorney General Aumua Ming Leung Wai for progressing things and also commended the Law Reform Commission for leading extensive public consultations.
He said he hopes the police assign the law the importance it deserved.
It aims to reduce re-offending by requiring people who've been convicted of sex crimes to provide police with their details and keep them informed of their whereabouts.