Children born in Fiji automatically acquire citizenship by law, negating the need for permission from the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua. This statement comes from the Grace Road Group in response to the ministry’s announcement regarding the issuance of what they termed “unauthorized” Fiji passports to the child of two church members.
On Thursday, Minister Tikoduadua revealed that an investigation is underway to determine how the child received a Fiji passport, which allowed the father to travel internationally with her and her brother. The children’s mother shared that she and her husband immigrated from Korea to Fiji about eight years ago and that their four-year-old daughter was born at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva but had not been registered in Fiji during her lifetime.
The mother alleges that she had endured eight years of what she considers “slavery” under the Grace Road organization. Grace Road Group asserts that according to Section 6 of the Citizenship of Fiji Act 2009, their child is indeed a citizen of Fiji and thus qualified for a passport.
They further stated that the child’s father merely followed the standard procedure for applying for a passport for their Fiji-born child, while the elder sibling possesses a Korean passport. Grace Road Group criticized the timing of the ministry’s statement, suggesting it was aimed at distracting from ongoing legal matters involving the organization’s president in the High Court.
This situation highlights the complexities and legal nuances surrounding citizenship and immigration issues, particularly in cases involving children and organizations like Grace Road. The ongoing investigation may clarify the situation, and the publicity surrounding it could lead to broader discussions on immigration policies that protect children’s rights in Fiji.
In a hopeful light, this scenario could spark reforms in the immigration process to ensure that all citizens, especially children, are treated fairly and have the protections they need. Clear communication and transparency from government agencies are crucial for building trust within communities.
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