Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that the future of the Home Affairs and Immigration ministerial portfolios, currently held by Defence and Veteran’s Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua, will be determined by the findings of the investigation into the controversial issuance of a Fijian passport to a minor.
This investigation was initiated last month amid concerns over unauthorized passport issuance. Tikoduadua had expressed his willingness to resign from his ministerial role as a precautionary measure during the inquiry.
Rabuka remarked, “Regarding the passport issuance, an investigation is underway. There may or may not have been inappropriate actions taken by those in positions of authority.”
The passport in question was issued to a child of a member of Grace Road Church, which has been embroiled in serious allegations, including claims of human rights abuses against its Korean members. A Korean American woman, who is the child’s mother and wishes to remain anonymous, recently shared her harrowing experience with the media, detailing the struggles she faced as a member of Grace Road and her plea for government assistance to reunite with her children, who were still under the father’s care within the organization.
Shortly after her appeal, it was revealed that the father had successfully obtained a Fijian passport for their youngest child and left for Korea, taking both children without the mother’s consent or knowledge.
The police have stated that they will withhold comments until the investigation concludes.
This situation highlights the complexities surrounding immigration processes and the responsibility of authorities to safeguard the rights of individuals, particularly vulnerable populations.
In a broader context, such investigations can potentially lead to reforms in immigration policies, ensuring stricter adherence to regulations and improved oversight. The outcome of this inquiry could be a pivotal moment for accountability and advocating for human rights in Fiji.
Summary: Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that the fate of the Home Affairs and Immigration portfolios held by Pio Tikoduadua will rely on the investigation into the unauthorized issuance of a Fijian passport to a minor linked to the Grace Road Church. The mother of the child has expressed concerns over her children’s welfare and her pleas for government assistance, as complications arose when the father took the children abroad without her consent. The police remain tight-lipped until the investigation is concluded, highlighting important issues regarding immigration and human rights that may foster significant reforms.
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