The United States remains concerned about human trafficking and transnational organized crime in Fiji, particularly involving the Grace Road Group, and has warned of a potential downgrade in its assessment of the country’s anti-trafficking efforts. Fiji currently holds a Tier 2 Watch List ranking in the 2025 US Trafficking In Persons Report.
Fiji’s Tier 2 Watch List Ranking
The 2025 Trafficking In Persons Report found that Fiji does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period. This results in Fiji remaining on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year.
Despite initiating more trafficking investigations and identifying more victims – including a victim of sex trafficking – the government did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions and did not convict any traffickers for the second year in a row.
Concerns Regarding the Grace Road Group
The US report specifically highlights concerns about widespread reporting of trafficking indicators within a religious organization operating numerous businesses in Fiji, stating that authorities have not taken sufficient action to hold suspected traffickers accountable or assist potential victims. Official complicity and corruption were cited as undermining anti-trafficking efforts.
US and Fiji Collaboration & Potential Downgrade
A US Embassy spokesperson stated that the United States is working closely with the Fijian government to address the report’s recommendations and avoid an automatic downgrade to Tier 3 in 2026, which could lead to the suspension of certain assistance programs. The two countries continue to collaborate on programs aimed at enhancing prosperity, including the recently announced Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact Program.
Government Initiatives and Recommendations
The Fijian government has initiated several efforts, including developing victim identification Standard Operating Procedures, creating a centralized trafficking case management system, and updating the anti-trafficking National Action Plan.
Recommendations for Fiji include formally implementing victim identification procedures, proactively screening vulnerable populations for trafficking indicators, increasing investigations and prosecutions of trafficking crimes – including those involving complicit officials – and seeking significant prison terms for convicted traffickers.
Other recommendations focus on finalizing and implementing the 2026 National Action Plan, expanding anti-trafficking training for officials, amending the 2009 Crimes Act to criminalize all forms of trafficking, and improving protection services for victims.
Fiji’s Response
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that the government’s fight against human trafficking and people smuggling has been strengthened through initiatives to enhance border security and law enforcement capabilities. Parliament recently passed legislation repealing the Registration of Skilled Professionals Act 2016, and the Cabinet has endorsed allocating $0.5 million to support Fiji’s response to trafficking and implementing Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems.
An inter-ministerial taskforce, led by the Office of the Prime Minister, is providing strategic direction for these efforts. Joint investigations by Immigration, Customs, and Police are nearing completion, and enhancing prosecution and conviction rates remains a priority.
Police have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding investigations into the Grace Road Group.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
