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.
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