Fiji is at risk of losing hundreds of million dollars in assistance from the United States across different sectors if it is downgraded to Tier 3 ranking in next year's US Department of State's Trafficking In Persons report.
Ditoka says Fiji serious about concerns raised in US Trafficking In Persons Report
By Vijay Narayan 05/11/2026
Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Sakiasi Ditoka stresses that no individual or
organisation should be considered beyond the reach of Fiji's laws
because of their economic contribution, investment activities or
employment of Fijian citizens.
Ditoka
says while questions in the US Trafficking In Persons Report for Fiji
on INTERPOL Red Notices for some leaders of Grace Road Group not
being honoured by Fiji and the status of investigations are matters
that must be addressed by the competent law enforcement and
prosecutorial authorities, the allegations must be
properly investigated, due process respected and any determination of
criminal responsibility made on the evidence and in accordance with
the law.
He
says the protection of employment and legitimate economic activity is
an important consideration for any Government, but it cannot be used
to excuse criminal conduct where such conduct is established.
Ditoka
adds that as to the investigation report commissioned by the
Coalition Government, he believes the responsible authorities are
best placed to clarify its status and any findings that may properly
be disclosed.
He
says it would be inappropriate for him to speculate on operational
decisions, the status of individual investigations or matters that
may be subject to legal proceedings.
However
he stresses that the Government of Fiji takes the issue of human
trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and the
exploitation of vulnerable women and children, very seriously.
Ditoka
says these are serious criminal offences and violations of human
dignity, and there should be no misunderstanding about the
Government's commitment to combating them.
The
Foreign Affairs Minister says the United States is one of Fiji's most
important development partners, and the longstanding bilateral
relationship is one that Fiji values greatly.
He
says Fiji's cooperation extends across development assistance,
security, economic engagement and other areas of mutual interest.
Ditoka
says they therefore attach considerable importance to the assessments
and concerns raised by the United States Government, including those
contained in its 2026 Trafficking In Persons Report.
He
adds combating human trafficking requires coordinated action across
several agencies with distinct statutory responsibilities.
These
include the Fiji Police Force, immigration authorities, the Office of
the Director of Public Prosecutions and the relevant ministries
responsible for labour, social welfare and child protection.
The
Minister says the challenges are not confined to law enforcement
alone.
He
says trafficking can involve complex criminal networks, cross-border
movements, vulnerable individuals who may be reluctant or afraid to
come forward, and circumstances where exploitation is difficult to
identify or prove.
Ditoka
says effective investigations require specialised skills, cooperation
between agencies and, frequently, assistance from international
partners.
Ditoka
says the protection of victims must remain central to our
national response.
He
says those who have suffered exploitation should be treated with
dignity and provided with appropriate assistance, irrespective of
their nationality.
Ditoka
says on the specific question of funding and support arrangements,
the relevant ministries should provide a clear account of the
resources currently available, the challenges they face and the
additional measures that may be necessary.
PM says Grace Road Group is OK, Govt will handle issue of INTERPOL Red Notices against some leaders of the Group here on a personal basis
By Vijay Narayan, Pita Toganivalu 05/11/2026
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says the Grace Road Group is okay but the Fijian Government will handle the issue of INTERPOL Red Notices against some leaders of the Group here on a personal basis.
While reacting to the US Trafficking In Persons Report on Fiji, Rabuka says Grace Road is okay.
He says it is those people who are involved in Grace Road, they are personal cases.
Rabuka says there is nothing wrong about Grace Road but the people involved in Grace Road are the ones who are wanted.
He adds the Red Notice is not honoured personally, it is honoured by governments.
The US Trafficking In Persons Report says Fiji’s Human Trafficking Unit opened an investigation into trafficking allegations involving members of a religious organization affiliated with multiple businesses, the Grace Road Group, who experienced indicators of forced labour, and authorities inspected associated worksites.
It says the unit also cooperated with authorities from the country of one foreign victim in the investigation.
It adds authorities investigated the improper issuance of a Fijian passport to the child of a leader of the organisation, who subsequently left the country with the child, suggesting potential official complicity in the organisation’s allegedly illicit activities; these allegations led to the Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration to temporarily step aside from his position and to the suspension of the Director of Immigration.
The US report says the Fiji government has not appropriately responded to the INTERPOL Red Notices for four leaders of the organisation associated with related allegations, leading to further allegations of official complicity.
The report says despite public reporting on suspected forced labour in this organisation since at least 2018, the government has never prosecuted or convicted any offenders associated with the allegations.
When asked by fijivillage News, Rabuka confirms he has asked Minister for Immigration, Viliame Naupoto to quickly sort out the issue regarding Fiji remaining in the US Tier 2 watch list for human trafficking for the third consecutive year as we may lose our preferred recipient status for some of the US grants and aid if we are downgraded to Tier 3.
When approached by fijivillage News on the US report, Grace Road Group did not make any comments.
Stay with us for developments.
Fiji needs to act on human trafficking or be downgraded to Tier 3 by the US, Ditoka says this warrants serious attention across Govt
By Vijay Narayan 06/11/2026
Fiji is at risk of losing hundreds of million dollars in assistance from the United States across different sectors if it is downgraded to Tier 3 ranking in next year's US Department of State's Trafficking In Persons report.
This year's Trafficking In Persons report states that the Government of Fiji does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
The US report says the Fiji government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period.
Fiji was granted a waiver, in accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards.
Therefore, Fiji remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year.
Efforts included initiating six trafficking investigations, initiating two trafficking prosecutions, the first since 2023, allocating funding for anti-trafficking activities, and launching an online reporting tool for law enforcement developed with support from an international organization.
The US report says the Fiji government identified 50 trafficking victims however, the government did not convict any traffickers for the third consecutive year.
The US Department of State report says the government did not formally approve or fully implement victim identification Standard Operating Procedures developed during the previous reporting period.
It further says the Fiji government’s interagency working group did not independently meet to coordinate anti-trafficking efforts.
While responding to fijivillage News on the US report and the risk of being downgraded to Tier 3, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sakiasi Ditoka says they take seriously the implications of Fiji's continued placement on the Tier 2 Watch List, including the possibility of a Tier 3 designation.
However, he says he would caution against automatically interpreting such a designation as meaning that all United States assistance to Fiji would necessarily cease.
Ditoka says the implications are governed by United States legislation, including provisions concerning the nature of assistance and possible waivers.
He says these matters require careful assessment rather than speculation.
Ditoka says the United States remains an important strategic and development partner for Fiji, and we value the constructive engagement that characterises our relationship.
He says we intend to continue working closely with our American counterparts and other international partners to strengthen Fiji's institutional capacity and address the concerns identified in the report.
The Minister says he has asked his officials to examine the report carefully, particularly its implications for our bilateral relationship with the United States and the opportunities for further technical cooperation and capacity building.
Ditoka says ultimately, this is not an issue that should be approached simply as a question of international rankings or diplomatic reputation.
He says it concerns the safety and wellbeing of people, particularly those who are most vulnerable to exploitation.
He says the Coalition Government inherited challenges that will take sustained effort to overcome.
Ditoka says they recognise those challenges and are committed to working through them with the relevant agencies, civil society organisations, communities and our international development partners.
He adds he would certainly welcome evidence that human trafficking in Fiji has declined substantially.
Ditoka says that would be a positive development for our country but we must also ensure that our investigative and prosecutorial institutions are sufficiently equipped to identify offences, protect victims and hold offenders accountable wherever trafficking does occur.
The Minister says our success should ultimately be measured by whether fewer people are being exploited, victims are receiving the protection they deserve, and those responsible for trafficking are being brought to justice.
He trusts that the relevant Ministers and agencies will provide fijivillage News with the information we have requested as appropriate.
Ditoka stresses that the Government of Fiji takes the issue of human trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and the exploitation of vulnerable women and children, very seriously.
He adds our cooperation extends across development assistance, security, economic engagement and other areas of mutual interest.
Ditoka says they do not dismiss the US report findings, nor should we overlook the progress that Fiji may have made in addressing these challenges.
He says the report's finding that Fiji has recorded no trafficking convictions over the past three years is a serious observation, but one that requires careful interpretation.
He says it may point to shortcomings in the identification, investigation and prosecution of trafficking offences, or it may reflect an improvement in the underlying situation, with fewer instances of trafficking occurring in Fiji.
He says he would certainly hope that the latter is the case, although this must be established through credible evidence rather than conviction statistics alone.
Ditoka says the continued placement of Fiji on the Tier 2 Watch List therefore warrants serious attention across Government.
He recognises that more work needs to be done, and he welcomes the continued cooperation and assistance of the United States and other international partners in strengthening Fiji's response.
Stay with us for more on this issue.
PM says Grace Road Group is OK, Govt will handle issue of INTERPOL Red Notices against some leaders of the Group here on a personal basis
By Vijay Narayan, Pita Toganivalu 05/11/2026Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says the Grace Road Group is okay but the Fijian Government will handle the issue of INTERPOL Red Notices against some leaders of the Group here on a personal basis.
While reacting to the US Trafficking In Persons Report on Fiji, Rabuka says Grace Road is okay.
He says it is those people who are involved in Grace Road, they are personal cases.
Rabuka says there is nothing wrong about Grace Road but the people involved in Grace Road are the ones who are wanted.
He adds the Red Notice is not honoured personally, it is honoured by governments.
The US Trafficking In Persons Report says Fiji’s Human Trafficking Unit opened an investigation into trafficking allegations involving members of a religious organization affiliated with multiple businesses, the Grace Road Group, who experienced indicators of forced labour, and authorities inspected associated worksites.
It says the unit also cooperated with authorities from the country of one foreign victim in the investigation.
It adds authorities investigated the improper issuance of a Fijian passport to the child of a leader of the organisation, who subsequently left the country with the child, suggesting potential official complicity in the organisation’s allegedly illicit activities; these allegations led to the Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration to temporarily step aside from his position and to the suspension of the Director of Immigration.
The US report says the Fiji government has not appropriately responded to the INTERPOL Red Notices for four leaders of the organisation associated with related allegations, leading to further allegations of official complicity.
The report says despite public reporting on suspected forced labour in this organisation since at least 2018, the government has never prosecuted or convicted any offenders associated with the allegations.
When asked by fijivillage News, Rabuka confirms he has asked Minister for Immigration, Viliame Naupoto to quickly sort out the issue regarding Fiji remaining in the US Tier 2 watch list for human trafficking for the third consecutive year as we may lose our preferred recipient status for some of the US grants and aid if we are downgraded to Tier 3.
When approached by fijivillage News on the US report, Grace Road Group did not make any comments.
Stay with us for developments.
Ditoka says Fiji serious about concerns raised in US Trafficking In Persons Report
By Vijay Narayan 05/11/2026
Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Sakiasi Ditoka stresses that no individual or
organisation should be considered beyond the reach of Fiji's laws
because of their economic contribution, investment activities or
employment of Fijian citizens.
Ditoka
says while questions in the US Trafficking In Persons Report for Fiji
on INTERPOL Red Notices for some leaders of Grace Road Group not
being honoured by Fiji and the status of investigations are matters
that must be addressed by the competent law enforcement and
prosecutorial authorities, the allegations must be
properly investigated, due process respected and any determination of
criminal responsibility made on the evidence and in accordance with
the law.
He
says the protection of employment and legitimate economic activity is
an important consideration for any Government, but it cannot be used
to excuse criminal conduct where such conduct is established.
Ditoka
adds that as to the investigation report commissioned by the
Coalition Government, he believes the responsible authorities are
best placed to clarify its status and any findings that may properly
be disclosed.
He
says it would be inappropriate for him to speculate on operational
decisions, the status of individual investigations or matters that
may be subject to legal proceedings.
However
he stresses that the Government of Fiji takes the issue of human
trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and the
exploitation of vulnerable women and children, very seriously.
Ditoka
says these are serious criminal offences and violations of human
dignity, and there should be no misunderstanding about the
Government's commitment to combating them.
The
Foreign Affairs Minister says the United States is one of Fiji's most
important development partners, and the longstanding bilateral
relationship is one that Fiji values greatly.
He
says Fiji's cooperation extends across development assistance,
security, economic engagement and other areas of mutual interest.
Ditoka
says they therefore attach considerable importance to the assessments
and concerns raised by the United States Government, including those
contained in its 2026 Trafficking In Persons Report.
He
adds combating human trafficking requires coordinated action across
several agencies with distinct statutory responsibilities.
These
include the Fiji Police Force, immigration authorities, the Office of
the Director of Public Prosecutions and the relevant ministries
responsible for labour, social welfare and child protection.
The
Minister says the challenges are not confined to law enforcement
alone.
He
says trafficking can involve complex criminal networks, cross-border
movements, vulnerable individuals who may be reluctant or afraid to
come forward, and circumstances where exploitation is difficult to
identify or prove.
Ditoka
says effective investigations require specialised skills, cooperation
between agencies and, frequently, assistance from international
partners.
Ditoka
says the protection of victims must remain central to our
national response.
He
says those who have suffered exploitation should be treated with
dignity and provided with appropriate assistance, irrespective of
their nationality.
Ditoka
says on the specific question of funding and support arrangements,
the relevant ministries should provide a clear account of the
resources currently available, the challenges they face and the
additional measures that may be necessary.
Grace Road Group file is currently under review following its return by Police - ODPP
By Vijay Narayan 06/11/2026
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirms that the Grace Road Group file dealing with allegations of human trafficking is currently under review following its return by the Fiji Police Force.
The ODPP says the file had previously been referred back to the Police for further investigation.
They also say in relation to the US Department’s assessment on Trafficking in Persons, their office has submitted a report directly to the US Embassy outlining relevant Trafficking In Persons matters for 2025 to 2026.
The US Trafficking In Persons Report for Fiji says foreign nationals, including from the Republic of Korea and the United States, who are members of a foreign-based religious organisation, the Grace Road Group, experience conditions indicative of human trafficking, including in businesses owned and operated by the organisation in the agriculture, retail, construction, and service industries.
While responding to our questions, Permanent Secretary for Employment, Maritino Nemani says no report has been filed but he welcomes any of the employees to file the report with the Ministry.
He stresses that no worker, local or foreign, should be unfairly treated.
Speaking about other cases, the DPP's Office says there is currently one trafficking in persons case before the court.
A 42-year-old woman was charged earlier this year with one count of trafficking in persons.
It is alleged that, in 2022, the accused was offered employment in Egypt through facebook but declined the offer.
She subsequently referred the opportunity to a 51-year-old woman and facilitated the latter’s travel from Fiji to Egypt for employment as a babysitter, allegedly being reckless as to whether the victim would be exploited.
The ODPP says for information regarding any other trafficking in persons cases currently under active investigation, we have to liaise directly with the Fiji Police Force.
Police, Naupoto and Naivalurua yet to comment on US Trafficking In Persons Report on Fiji
By Vijay Narayan 06/11/2026
Police, Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto and Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua are yet to comment on what is being done in relation to the Trafficking In Persons Report on Fiji published by the US Department Of State.
When asked by fijivillage News, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirms he has asked Minister for Immigration Naupoto to quickly sort out the issue regarding Fiji remaining in the US Tier 2 watch list for human trafficking for the third consecutive year as we may lose our preferred recipient status for some of the US grants and aid if we are downgraded to Tier 3.
Fiji is at risk of losing hundreds of million dollars in assistance from the United States across different sectors if it is downgraded to Tier 3 ranking in next year's US Department of State's Trafficking In Persons report.
This year's Trafficking In Persons report states that the Government of Fiji does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
The US report says the Fiji government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period.
Fiji was granted a waiver, in accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards.
Therefore, Fiji remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year.
The report also says family members and domestic partners exploit women in forced criminality to sell illicit drugs or participate in drug trafficking in Fiji through threat of violence, abuse, and psychological coercion.
It says children are also increasingly at risk of exploitation in forced criminality to sell illicit drugs.
The report further says the traffickers exploit Fijian and Chinese national women and children in massage parlours and commercial sex establishments operated by Chinese nationals, particularly in Suva.
It says in some cases, massage parlour owners arrange for female Fijian employees to engage in commercial sex acts with clients in hotels or commercial sex establishments.
The report adds that some Fijian children are at risk of sex and labour trafficking, including domestic servitude, as families follow a traditional practice of sending them to live with relatives or families in larger cities, where they are vulnerable to exploitation in domestic servitude or sex trafficking in exchange for food, clothing, shelter, or school fees.
It says foreign yacht owners and foreigners hiring locally owned yachts dock in rural Fijian islands and seek young women, usually children, for marriage; some of these women and children subsequently become exploited in forced labour or sex trafficking.
It further says that taxi drivers or other facilitators transport Fijian child sex trafficking victims to hotels in popular tourist areas or to private yachts at the request of foreign tourists seeking commercial sex acts.
The report highlights that Fijian children are at risk of forced labour in agriculture, retail, or other sectors.
It says rising levels of poverty, often resulting in increased school drop-out rates, also contribute to increased risks of perpetrators exploiting Fijian children in commercial sex and forced labour.
The US report says children as young as 12 are exploited in sex trafficking, sometimes by family members to purchase food and other essentials for their families.
