The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has voiced significant concerns regarding Fiji’s ongoing placement on the Tier 2 Watch List in the 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report. This classification raises alarms about the persistent gaps in prevention, victim protection, and prosecutions, which could potentially lead to a culture of impunity.
In a statement released recently, Commission Director Loukinikini Lewaravu highlighted that Fiji’s second consecutive year on the watch list signifies “persistent and serious gaps and deficiencies” in the country’s approach to combating human trafficking. The report noted a troubling lack of recent prosecutions, despite numerous allegations of human trafficking reported to authorities.
While the Commission acknowledged some actions taken by the government, such as revising the National Action Plan and enhancing inter-agency coordination, it emphasized that these measures have yet to yield significant results. Lewaravu remarked, “Procedural progress without consequential accountability falls short of the State’s human rights obligations.” This current path, he warned, could normalize impunity and deny victims the justice and effective remedies they deserve.
Human trafficking is described as a severe violation of fundamental human rights, including the rights to dignity, liberty, and freedom from slavery, which are safeguarded by Fiji’s Constitution and international conventions like the Palermo Protocol. The Commission stresses that addressing this pressing issue demands a renewed and genuine political commitment focused on victims, accountability, and dismantling the systemic structures that permit exploitation.
As a recognized independent national human rights institution, the Commission urges swift action from the government, calling for immediate and independent investigations into all allegations of trafficking, including those involving influential figures. It advocates for stronger measures to prevent and penalize complicity from officials, alongside the establishment of a survivor-centered victim protection framework, tailored training for law enforcement and prosecutors, and transparent public reports on the National Action Plan’s implementation.
Lewaravu articulated a poignant reminder that human trafficking poses a critical challenge to the State’s dedication to human rights and rule of law. He reassured that the Commission is prepared to work collaboratively with the Government and civil society to develop a comprehensive, rights-based response that safeguards human dignity and provides justice for victims. This proactive engagement signals hope for a more responsive and accountable approach to human trafficking in Fiji.