Children born in Fiji automatically obtain citizenship by law, which was confirmed by Grace Road Group in response to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration’s recent statement regarding the issuance of what the ministry called “unauthorized” passports. Minister Pio Tikoduadua announced that an investigation has begun into how a child of two Grace Road Church members was issued a Fijian passport, enabling the father to leave the country with the child and her sibling.
According to the children’s mother, who migrated from Korea with her husband and older child roughly eight years ago, the four-year-old was born at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva but has remained unregistered in Fiji since birth. She reported that her family had faced severe hardships, including a claim of eight years of “slavery” while involved with Grace Road.
Grace Road Group reiterated that Fijian law, specifically Section 6 of the Citizenship of Fiji Act 2009, guarantees citizenship to children born in the country. They asserted that the father merely applied for a passport for his child, who is a Fijian citizen by birth, and was rightfully granted one. The couple’s older child, in contrast, holds a Korean passport.
Additionally, GRG criticized the timing of the ministry’s press release, suggesting it was intended to distract from another ongoing legal matter involving their president in the High Court. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration has been contacted for further clarification on the situation.
In light of these circumstances, it is crucial for authorities to ensure a fair and thorough investigation. This case highlights the importance of understanding and upholding legal rights regarding citizenship, especially for those in vulnerable positions. It also illustrates the broader struggle for families dealing with the challenges of immigration and integration into a new society, encouraging conversations about support and protections for all individuals involved.
Summary: Grace Road Group reacted to a statement from Fiji’s Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the issuance of passports to their members’ child, emphasizing that citizenship is granted by Fijian law. The ministry is investigating the circumstances surrounding the passport issuance, while the group defends their actions as lawful, raising concerns about the timing of the ministry’s statements in relation to ongoing legal cases.
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