The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has urgently advocated for the formation of a National Taskforce to address the alarming rise in missing children cases across the nation. With over 52 reports involving children aged five to 17 made to the Police since the beginning of 2024, the Commission highlights critical deficiencies in the existing child protection framework.
This call to action follows the heartbreaking discovery of a 15-year-old student’s body in Tamavua-I-Wai last month, just days after the child was reported missing on Christmas Eve. Human Rights Commissioner Chantelle Khan emphasized the need for authorities to view missing children cases as urgent protection emergencies rather than solely policing issues.
Khan is urging the implementation of a child-centered and preventive strategy that fosters stronger collaboration among various government agencies, including Police, Social Welfare, Education, Health services, as well as community stakeholders such as the Vanua, faith-based organizations, and civil society. She contends that a national taskforce would facilitate quicker reporting, enhance coordination, and establish efficient response protocols for incidents of children going missing.
The Commission stresses that children may go missing for numerous reasons, including domestic violence, neglect, organized crime, drug-related issues, trafficking, online grooming, and mental health challenges. Missing children face heightened dangers, including violence, sexual exploitation, forced labor, substance abuse, and enduring psychological trauma.
Furthermore, the Commission is advocating for the State to intensify efforts against drug syndicates and organized crime while simultaneously improving family support services and protective measures within schools and communities. With legal and international obligations to act swiftly—including commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child—the Commission’s recommendations aim to inspire collective action.
The Commission is calling on families, communities, and civil society to collaborate closely with authorities, reinforcing the crucial message that no child should be left vulnerable to harm. This urgent plea for a coordinated response and enhanced protections presents an opportunity for society to come together to safeguard the well-being of its most vulnerable members.