Passport Controversy: How Did It Happen?

The Ministry of Home Affairs in Fiji is investigating how a child of a Grace Road Church member obtained a passport shortly before a possible inquiry into allegations of human rights abuses involving the child’s mother. Acting Home Affairs Minister Filimoni Vosarogo emphasized that the integrity of the Immigration Department is at stake as the situation unfolds.

According to Minister Vosarogo, the central question is whether the child was legitimately entitled to a Fijian passport. He noted that the investigation was initiated last week, particularly considering that the passport was issued just before a planned flight which may have been an attempt to evade the scrutiny related to the mother’s complaints.

To facilitate a thorough and impartial investigation, both the Director of Immigration, Amelia Kamoisavai, and the Manager of Passports have been temporarily relieved of their duties. Acting appointments have been made to ensure continuity in operations. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has also been enlisted to determine if any standard operating procedures concerning passport issuance were violated.

The investigation is ongoing, with the CID beginning to collect statements and gather insights into how the passport was issued. Minister Vosarogo anticipates that the investigation will be completed by the end of next week, yielding a report with findings and recommendations for the Home Affairs Minister and permanent secretary, Mason Smith.

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew confirmed that the CID has already begun its work following a report filed by the mother, which includes scrutiny over the passport’s issuance.

This situation embodies an essential commitment by the Fijian authorities to uphold the rule of law and integrity within the immigration system. The expected timely closure of the investigation could serve as a positive step toward ensuring that procedures in the immigration sector remain transparent and accountable, ultimately fostering public trust in government institutions.