Fiji defends anti-trafficking efforts amid U.S criticism
Minister Tikoduadua says security agencies are doing their best despite Tier Two Watch List ranking.
Friday 03 October 2025 | 00:30
Minister for Defece and Veteran affairs Pio Tikoduadua during the National Poppy Appeal launch in Suva on October 1, 2025.
Photo: Ronald Kumar
The Coalition Government is doing its best to combat human trafficking through security agencies.
Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua says, this is despite a United States of America (USA) report stating Fiji does not fully meet minimum standards for eliminating trafficking.
Responding to the U.S Trafficking in Persons Report yesterday, Mr Tikoduadua acknowledged Fiji must improve, but defended Government's efforts.
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"Fiji is not the only country that is below the line in that and it is something we definitely have to improve on,” he said.
The U.S report placed Fiji on the Tier Two Watch List for the second consecutive year, adding the Government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period.
The report stated that despite identifying 61 trafficking victims, the Government did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions and failed to convict any traffickers for the second consecutive year.
It also noted official complicity and corruption undermined anti-trafficking efforts and allowed traffickers to operate with impunity.
Grace Road allegations
When asked about allegations involving the Grace Road Group, a religious organisation whose members have experienced indicators of forced labor, Mr Tikoduadua clarified the Government's role.
“No, Government does not convict anybody. That is a matter of the court,” he said.
He confirmed authorities dealt with the matter during his time as Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration.
“Those matters are before the court and that’s where they are,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
The USA report stated that despite public reporting on suspected forced labor within the organisation since at least 2018, the Coalition Government has never prosecuted or convicted any offenders associated with the allegations.
The report also raised concerns about alleged official complicity, noting the government has not appropriately responded to INTERPOL Red Notices for four leaders of the organisation.
