Cross-border issue made easy
Dealing with cross-border issues will be made easier for the Fiji Police Force if we give assent to the 1996 Hague Convention, says Deputy Commissioner of Police Isikeli Ligairi. Mr Ligairi was making submissions to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in Parliament yesterday. He said on the Hague Convention of 1996, Article 2 applied to children from the moment of their birth until they reached the age of 18.
He said Police would require training, facilities and additional resources to handle children of all age groups, especially babies including the protection of their life and property.
Mr Ligairi said Article 7 of the convention dealt with the wrongful removal and retention of a child.
He said in that situation Police would need to establish a place of safety to temporarily shelter a child till all the regulated processes were complied with. Mr Ligairi said the enactment of the Family Act 2003 allowed Police assistance to serve and execute orders on parties to an application but it was unclear on the role of Police on crossborder applications. He said the 1996 Hague Convention provided the opportunity for clearer legal guidance regarding Police role and responsibility.
FijiFirst Member of Parliament Jilila Kumar (left), with Deputy Police Commissioner Isikeli Ligairi in Parliament yesterday.