REPORTS IDENTIFIES FIJI AS SOURCE, TRANSIT, AND DESTINATION POINT
‘AS THE REGIONAL HUB, AND CUSTODIANS OF FIJI’S EXTENSIVE BORDER AND MARITIME SPACE, WE RECOGNISE THAT OUR BORDERS ARE VULNERABLE TO TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP), FOR WHICH FIJI IS A TRANSIT AND DESTINATION COUNTRY FOR MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN.’ Trafficking in persons is really complex and pervasive across the world and across the pacific. It really affects those who are vulnerable. It is not just a women’s issue and not just about sex work.
United States and Global reports have identified Fiji as a source, transit, and destination point for Trafficking in Person.
This was highlighted by Acting Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Filimoni Vosarogo during the opening of the “Fiji’s Anti-Human Trafficking National Action Plan – Implementation Workshop” yesterday.
Mr Vosarogo while acknowledging the validity of those reports said it was important to note that Fiji has maintained for the second year its Tier Two position in the annual US Department of State 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report released in July last year.
“The report noted that Fiji sustained its efforts to prevent trafficking in the pillars of prosecution, protection and prevention. We have only been able to do so because of the collaboration between Fiji’s Countering Trafficking in Persons Interagency Committee on Human Trafficking in implementing our National Human Trafficking Strategy 2021- 2026 and National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking 2021-2026,” Mr Vosarogo said.
“Overall, it seems that Fiji has made significant efforts to improve its antitrafficking activities, but there is still room for improvement, which will ultimately determine the effectiveness of the laws and policies and programmes to prevent human trafficking in the country.
“As the regional hub, and custodians of Fiji’s extensive border and maritime space, we recognise that our borders are vulnerable to trafficking in persons (TIP), for which Fiji is a transit and destination country for men, women, and children.”
The Asia Foundation Regional representative Sandra Kraushaar said the Foundation was guided by its mission of supporting Pacific solutions to Pacific challenges, recognising the leadership, the know-how and strengths of the region.
“Trafficking in persons is really complex and pervasive across the world and across the pacific. It really affects those who are vulnerable. It is not just a women’s issue and not just about sex work,” Ms Kraushaar said.
“Men, women, boys, girls, people with diverse identities, and people with disabilities can all be affected.
“The USAID’s funded programme ‘Pacific Regional Initiative and Support for More Effective Counter Trafficking in Persons (Pacific RISE CTIP) is being implemented in a number of countries in the region.”
The workshop at Holiday Inn ends today.