The recent Births and Deaths registration initiative by the government has exposed a concerning issue: many individuals in remote areas lack official identity documents, some living for years without them. The Ministry of Justice is urging Fijians to register births and deaths promptly to ensure proper identity verification.
During a visit to the Ra District, Assistant Minister for Justice Ratu Josaia Niudamu underscored the critical role of birth certificates as the primary proof of identity, necessary for accessing essential services such as education, healthcare, and even the right to vote. He acknowledged the challenges posed by unregistered births, particularly in rural and maritime communities, and highlighted the coalition government’s efforts to improve registration rates, emphasizing that more Fijians now possess birth certificates than before.
To facilitate birth registration, individuals must secure the assistance of a next of kin who can serve as an informant, provide a Notification of Birth from the hospital or health center, and present additional identification materials, including a passport-sized photograph and a declaration signed by a Justice of the Peace. Once these documents are gathered, the Births, Deaths, and Marriages Office will verify the information before completing the registration process.
Niudamu also called on families to report unregistered deaths and encouraged those in communities to reach out for consultations or awareness sessions regarding the registration processes. By raising awareness and facilitating timely registrations, the Ministry of Justice aims to ensure that every Fijian can access their fundamental rights and services.
This initiative resonates with previous announcements made by Justice Minister Siromi Turaga, who has similarly pointed out the national concern of parents delaying the registration of their children. Turaga aims to achieve a 100 percent birth registration rate in the next two years, as the current registration stands at only 80 percent. Many parents wait until their children need to enroll in primary school to register, particularly within the iTaukei community, where instances of unregistered births are notably high. Turaga’s ministry has extended efforts to engage communities and bridge the information gap between the government and local populations, which is crucial for policy planning and resource allocation.
With these ongoing efforts and community outreach, there is a hopeful outlook that more Fijians will obtain official identification soon, thus securing their rights to health, education, and participation in civic duties.
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