Fiji’s Ministry of Immigration has emphasized that human trafficking is not merely a series of isolated events but part of a complex and organized global network. On the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Permanent Secretary Aliki Salusalu underscored the gravity of this often underreported issue in Fiji. He acknowledged that while the Fijian government has made significant strides, such as signing the UN Anti-Trafficking Protocol and updating legislative frameworks through the Crimes Decree of 2009, challenges remain.
Salusalu pointed out the sobering reality that over 50 million individuals worldwide are trapped in modern slavery, with Fiji maintaining a Tier 2 ranking in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report, indicating ongoing struggles in combatting these crimes. He highlighted the various tools employed by traffickers, including coercion, violence, and debt bondage, which strip victims of their freedom, dignity, and hope.
In tandem with these official statements, representatives from the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) have echoed similar sentiments. FCOSS Executive Director Vani Catanasiga insisted on the urgent need for government action, calling for a holistic reassessment of policies related to immigration, employment, and labor mobility to address trafficking more effectively. Reports indicate that Fiji has increasingly become both a source and destination for trafficking, particularly among foreign workers from countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.
Catanasiga referenced findings from the 2024 U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report, highlighting a concerning decline in government efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims, while the Asia Foundation noted the troubling trends linking domestic trafficking to child exploitation and forced labor.
Moreover, the rising number of foreign migrant workers in Fiji, often captivated by promises of better opportunities, has heightened vulnerability to trafficking. To this end, Salusalu’s call for international collaboration reflects a shared understanding that resolute action against trafficking networks is necessary to protect the most vulnerable populations.
Both the government and social organizations insist on the importance of raising awareness and enhancing legal measures to thwart traffickers’ operations, stressing a collective responsibility to tackle this pressing humanitarian crisis. There remains a hopeful sentiment that with sustained effort, awareness, and cooperation, progress can be made in the fight against human trafficking in Fiji and throughout the Pacific region.
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