Human trafficking | More than 50 cases reported in Fiji since 2015

More than 50 cases of human trafficking have been reported in Fiji since 2015, Northern Divisional Police Commander Chief Superintendent Kemueli Baledrokadroka said.

Five of these cases were brought to court and three convictions resulted.

“Prevalent forms of human trafficking in Fiji are human trafficking, domestic human trafficking and debt bondage,” he said.

Speaking at a workshop on human trafficking yesterday, SSP Baledrokadroka said capacity building of officers through national and international training and awareness raising was crucial.

“As the Pacific region faces growing threats from illicit drugs, transnational crime and climate change, we must ensure our populations are well-informed to fend off predators.

“Fiji, having since ratified the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol, has made great strides to ensure that stakeholders are able to counter trafficking efforts.

“This resulted in the establishment of a working group, allowing for an increased level of collaboration. »

He said the complexities of human trafficking were numerous.

“It is an environment in which conflict, transnational organized crime, climate change and health emergencies, combined with the social and economic drivers of crime, become a real challenge for law enforcement.”

He said there was a need to bring stakeholders together to try to save innocent lives from the threats of human trafficking.