Empowering Fijian Civil Society in CounteringTrafficking in Human Beings Project

A three-day workshop with the intent of improving coordination services for the protection and support of human trafficking victims was held at the Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour facilitated by the Ministry of Defence, National Security and Policing, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Civil Society Organisations and Homes of Hope and funded by the European Union.

Opening the second day of the workshop on “Empowering Fijian Civil Society in CounteringTrafficking in Human Beings Project.

The Civil Society Organization Task Force and Inter-AgencyMeetings; and the National Dialogue on National Referral Mechanism for Victims of HumanTrafficking in Fiji” was the Deputy Commissioner of Police Itendra Nair who acknowledged the holistic approach in bringing stakeholders together to draw up a cooperative framework to protect andpromote the human rights of victims of human trafficking.

“The National Referral Mechanism will be a cooperative framework through which state actors fulfil their obligations to protect and promote the human rights of trafficked persons, coordinating their efforts in a strategic partnership with civil society. But most importantly, it provides a clear cut referral pathway that is easily understood by likely victims of human trafficking”.

“The anticipated outcome document of this workshop is the catalyst that will enhance our engagements and coordinate services such as victim identification, referrals to relevant agencies, legal assistance, protection and victim support such as safe houses and counselling to name a few.

This will be closely monitored and coordinated by the Case Management Coordinator that is currently based at the Ministry of Defence, National Security and Policing”.

Deputy Commissioner Nair went on to say, “As the hub of the Pacific, Fiji has an extensive porous border with a huge maritime space that makes it vulnerable to trafficking in persons as a transit and destination country for men, women and children”.

“We are thankful to CSO’s and community partners who are there in times of need, particularly in the absence of proper mechanisms that need to be well supported.

The National Referral Mechanism tool is sure to instill confidence that victims are able to report crimes and not fear further victimization”.