Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group
PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human trafficking investigations
By Vijay Narayan
18/12/2025
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka admits he is worried about Fiji's reputation in relation to the human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group and that is why he is hoping all the agencies involved will act expeditiously in the interest of the country. Rabuka stresses that the government cannot interfere into any investigations and the court processes after investigations as they are independent functions.
He says if the US has grounds on some of their citizens who are involved and they would want them extradited, Fiji has extradition agreements with the US and we will oblige.
The 2025 Trafficking In Persons Report states that 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.
The report says victims associated with the organisation report being forced to work excessive hours with no rest days, physical violence, passport confiscation, and unpaid wages.
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace Road Group as outlined in the latest report as well as other suspected trafficking in persons issues in Fiji.
A US Embassy spokesperson has told fijivillage News that they are working closely with the Government of Fiji to encourage decisive action to address the recommendations outlined in the report and avoid an automatic downgrade to Tier 3 in 2026 which could result in the suspension of certain assistance programs.
The spokesperson says the United States and Fiji continue to work together on a wide range of programs that will enhance the prosperity of both countries including the recently announced Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact Program.
The 2025 Trafficking In Persons Report places the Government of Fiji on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year.
According to this year's report, the Government of Fiji does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
It says despite making significant efforts to do so, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period.
Therefore, Fiji remains on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year.
ODPP has 3 human trafficking files, 2 relate to Grace Road Group
By Vijay Narayan 22/12/2025
Photo: ODPP
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirms that there are currently 3 trafficking in persons files under review at the Office.
The ODPP says of these, 2 files are related to Grace Road Group.
The Office has made the comments after fijivillage News questioned them on how many files the Police forwarded to the ODPP for decisions in relation to human trafficking and sex trafficking.
We also asked them how many files related to Grace Road Group, what is the status of the files, what is the delay and what are the challenges in relation to taking human trafficking and sex trafficking cases to court.
The ODPP says the files were sent to them for legal advice and are currently being reviewed in accordance with the ODPP standard procedures.
They say once the review process is completed, the ODPP will advise the CID accordingly.
The ODPP also emphasises that trafficking in persons matters involve multiple stages of investigation and evidence gathering, which can be complex and time-consuming.
They add that upon receipt of any investigation file, the ODPP is required to conduct a thorough assessment to ensure that the evidential and legal thresholds are met before proceeding with the appropriate course of action.
The United States has expressed serious concern about human trafficking indicators linked to the Grace Road Group in Fiji, as highlighted in the 2025 US Trafficking in Persons Report.
The report flags suspected trans-national organised crime and labour abuses tied to the group’s operations, and warns that Fiji could be downgraded to the lowest tier if decisive action is not taken.
A downgrade could affect key assistance programmes.
Fiji remains on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second year, having made efforts but not yet met minimum trafficking elimination standards.
According to this year's report, the Government of Fiji does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
It says despite making significant efforts to do so, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period.
The significant efforts included initiating more trafficking investigations, identifying more trafficking victims – including a victim of sex trafficking – and referring trafficking victims to services.
The report highlights that in partnership with civil society, the government completed the development of victim identification Standard Operating Procedures, began developing a centralized trafficking case management system, and updated the anti-trafficking National Action Plan.
However, the government did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions and, for the second consecutive year, did not convict any traffickers.
