Parliament enacts the Registration of Sex Offenders Bill

Parliament has today unanimously enacted the Registration of the Sex Offenders Bill.

This provides for the establishment of a Register of Sex Offenders, Registration and Reporting Obligations of Sex Offenders and for related matters.

While speaking during the third reading of the bill, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says this law is essential in respect to our battle to deal with sexual offences in Fiji.

Sayed-Khaiyum says they need to ensure that our laws are strengthened and ensure there is a real deterrent mechanism put in place.

He further says because this is a new law, they can, in a few years time, return to parliament to amend the law if required.

Sayed-Khaiyum adds he believes this law will be welcomed by many who want to ensure we have a safe society for our children and women in particular.

Opposition Leader, Ratu Naiqama Lalabavu says they had unanimously agreed they will vote on their conscience in relation to the bill.

The objective of this Act is to establish a register containing information on sex offenders to enable specified agencies to monitor sex offenders and to assist in reducing the risk posed by sex offenders and the rate of sexual offences in Fiji, by providing specified agencies with the information needed to monitor sex offenders in the community, including after the completion of their sentences and current information that may assist the Fiji Police Force to rapidly resolve cases of sexual offences.