Image via WikipediaAvinesh GopalSaturday, February 12, 2011
THE Government is committed to the global fight against the trafficking of people, including children.
Acting Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Joketani Cokanasiga said trafficking in persons was a crime against humanity."It is a threat against the core value of individual freedom and human dignity," he said.
"Vulnerable groups within our society need to be protected from all forms of exploitation and human bondage."
"This calls for defences that are strong, responsive and pre-emptive against the imminent threat of trafficking."
Mr Cokanasiga made the comments while launching the National Action Plan to Eradicate Trafficking in Persons and Child Trafficking in Suva yesterday afternoon.
He said the National Plan of Action solidified the common goal for the eradication of trafficking in persons and set the foundation for future collaborative efforts geared towards attainment of that goal.
He said Fiji was in Tier 3 of the United States Department of State Trafficking in Persons report in June last year but has since been elevated to Tier 2 of the watch list.
"The Fijian Government is committed to the global fight against this crime against humanity," he said.
Mr Cokanasiga said Fiji's national initiatives on the law against trafficking in persons were embedded in the Crimes Decree 2009 and the Immigration Act 2003.
He said the implementation of the plan would be fraught with challenges and collaboration between the Government, various non government organisations and foreign governments was crucial.
"The core hallmarks of the National Plan of Action revolves around prevention, protection and prosecution."
"To eradicate trafficking in persons, there must be a change in hearts and minds, in cultures and attitudes."
"By working together, I am sure that we can identify the occurrence and facilitation of trafficking in persons in our national jurisdiction and impede the growth of this despicable form of human slavery," said Mr Cokanasiga.
Source: The Fiji Times
State joins fight on trafficking - Fiji Times Online
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