Police investigates alleged human trafficking case involving JP and Nepali woman

The Fiji Police Force has launched an investigation into an alleged case of human trafficking into Fiji involving a justice of peace (JP) and a Nepali woman.

The Nepali woman is alleged to have been brought to Fiji under human trafficking.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is investigating the alleged human trafficking case, says Divisional Police Commander West Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Iakobo Vaisewa.

“The case is being handled by the CID Headquarters in Suva,” Mr Vaisewa said.

The Fiji Sun understands that last Friday, the CID team was in Lautoka questioning a woman believed to be a Justice of Peace (JP) in relation to human trafficking.

It is alleged that the woman brought a Nepali woman to Fiji on visitor’s visa, but later sold her to a man from Labasa for $5000.

Police sources said the woman was taken to Labasa.

The Fiji Sun understands that CID is gathering information on the case.

Human trafficking cases in Fiji 

The first human trafficking prosecution was brought by the State in 2010, the same year that the Crimes Act came into force, and which introduced Fiji’s anti-human trafficking laws.

The second was brought in late 2012, and the third concluded in June 2014.

All cases were heard quickly by the courts after being made aware the victims were in Fiji waiting to give evidence while the case was pending. All resulted in convictions and robust sentences.

Immigration Act

Trafficking in persons is criminalised in Fiji under two national legal instruments: the Crimes Act of 2009 and the Immigration Act of 2003.

Trafficking in Persons punishment by law 

•  It is a crime punishable by up to 12 years to organise or facilitate the movement of a person into or out of Fiji, or from one place in Fiji to another place in Fiji, by threatening or forcing that person to make that move.
•  It is also a crime punishable by up to 12 years to move a person into or out of Fiji, or from one place in Fiji to another place in Fiji, being reckless as to whether the other person will be exploited.
•  It is also a crime punishable by up to 12 years to organise or facilitate the movement of a person into or out of Fiji, or from one place in Fiji to another place in Fiji, and lying to the victim about the fact the movement or arrangements for the movement will involve the person’s exploitation or debt bondage or the confiscation of that person’s travel documents.
•  It is punishable by 12 years to organise or facilitate the movement of a person into or out of Fiji, or from one place in Fiji to another place in Fiji for an agreed upon arrangement to provide sexual services and there is a deception about the nature of the sexual services to be provided, the extent to which the person will be free to leave the place or area where the other person provides sexual services, the extent to which the person will be free to cease providing sexual services, the extent to which the person will be free to leave his or her place of residence and if there is a debt owed or claimed to be owed in connection with the arrangement – there is a deception about the amount or the existence of the debt owed or claimed to be owed.
• Any of the above offences will constitute crimes punishable by up to 20 years if there is an intention to exploit the person moved, or the person being moved is subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, or the person organising or facilitating the movement engages in conduct that gives rise to a danger of death or serious harm to the victim and is reckless about the possible results to the victim.

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