Page 17 - IB March 2018 Edition

Politics

Minister Edouard Philippe and other repre-
sentatives in March for the next Committee We are almost CEDAW compliant, says Fiji
of Signatories to the Noumea Accord. This
meeting, one of the last before the refer-
endum, will address outstanding issues Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Pun-
over the referendum process, as well as ish Trafficking in Persons,” Fiji said.
the transfer of the remaining “Article 27” Fiji Police have five cases under
powers from Paris to Noumea (including investiogation at the moment, two of
control of the university, TV and radio, as these cases from 2015 involving forced
well as the ADRAF land reform agency labour of male foreign nationals and
currently managed by the French State). By Anish Chand three were involved in sex trafficking of
To continue the momentum towards Fijian women and children.
the vote, the FLNKS will hold a national Fiji also informed CEDAW it has one
convention in April. This meeting will see FIJI remains a potential transit area for of the most stringent punishments
the formal launch of the independence human traffiicking because of its role as under law for people convicted of traf-
movement’s campaign, in the lead up to a regional transportation hub. ficking in persons with up to 25 years
a scheduled visit by French President Em- In their submission to the United imprisonment, and possible fines of up
manuel Macron. Since last year, the FLNKS Nations Committee on the Elimina- to FJ$100,000 (US$49,700).
has been developing a proposal for “a tion of Discrimination Against Women “These are sufficiently stringent and
sovereign Kanaky-New-Caledonia,” with (CEDAW) in Geneva last month, Fiji commensurate with penalties prescribed
ideas for economic, political and cultural defended its record on trafficking and for other serious crimes,” CEDAW was
reform that will be the centrepiece of the exploitation of prostitution, including told.
referendum campaign. tracking victims of trafficking, their Prostitution is the final outcome of hu-
Beyond its mobilisation on the ground, rescue and protection. man trafficking of women and children.
the FLNKS congress resolutions highlight- Fiji has told CEDAW it has solid pros- “If a person is apprehended for pros-
ed the importance of international solidar- ecution and antitrafficking laws in place titution but has been asertained to be a
ity, including the “historic and ongoing which are reflected specifically in the victim of human trafficking, Fijian laws
support of the Melanesian Spearhead Crimes Act 2009 under Section 111 to gives them assistance like temporary vi-
Group,” support from the Non-Aligned 121 titled, “Trafficking in Persons and sas, temporary work permits, safe-home
Movement as well as churches, NGOs and Children.” and furthering their involvement in live-
trade unions (a notable omission from the “It not only looks at international lihood programmes,” Fiji told CEDAW.
list is the Pacific Islands Forum, given the trafficking but domestic trafficking too. Fiji has also acknowledged prostitu-
rapprochement between France and key Harsher penalties are in place under this tion by women is rife and that they
Forum member states like Australia). legislation with a minimal of 12 years have exit programmes in place for these
To mobilise international support during and maximum of 25 years imprisonment women to get off the streets. They in-
2018, the FLNKS will soon name overseas for offenders,” the Fiji response said. clude giving grants to women to earn a
representatives as official spokespeople Four branches of law enforcement and livelihood through other means where
in Europe and the Pacific islands. The two NGO’s have a working relationship income is generated by small business
movement will also send a team to build to identify victims of trafficking. ventures.
support for independence and sovereignty The Department of Social Welfare, Fiji was also asked by CEDAW to
in French Polynesia and Wallis and Fu- Homes of Hope, Pacific Dialogue, Depart- provide data on the number of women
tuna (key constituencies, given the large ment of Immigration, the Police Human serving in its diplomatic and interna-
Tahitian and Wallisian populations living Trafficking Unit, and the Fiji Police Force tional organisations.
in New Caledonia). Transnational Crimes Unit are the front- Fiji has a total of 17 diplomatic mis-
Soon after the congress, FLNKS del- runners in keeping a tab on domestic sions overseas with a roving Ambas-
egates travelled to Port Moresby for the and international trafficking of persons. sador based in Fiji.
MSG summit. As a signal to the host “The National Plan of Action Eradicat- “Out of 63 available diplomatic posts,
government, the Arama congress “reaf- ing Trafficking has provisions of tem- in its 18 diplomatic missions, women
firmed its unshakeable support for the porary visas, temporary work permits, make up 30 per cent of the postings,”
United Liberation Movement of West and safe-home for victims during the Fiji said in reply.
Papua (ULMWP) in its combat for human investigation period,” CEDAW was told. Of the 18 available Heads of Missions
rights and the right to self-determination Any victims of trafficking, if found posts, 14 are filled with 4 positions cur-
in West Papua.” are given accommodation, medical care, rently vacant.
The FLNKS congress also resolved to interpreters, allowance for basic neces- “Women Heads of Missions are at 21
support nationalist movements in Corsica, sities, and temporary visas for foreign per cent or 3 out of 14 as at November
Catalonia and French Polynesia – signal- victims. 2017,” CEDAW was told.
ling their support for allies in the debate “If the victims are women or children, A total of 19 local women are em-
over autonomy, decentralisation and they are eligible to apply for govern- ployed in International Organisations.
independence that is raging around the ment legal aid and become a party to r achandftv@gmail.com
globe, from Spain to Indonesia and Papua the United Nations Convention against
New Guinea, from old Caledonia to New Transnational Organised Crime and its Fiji NGOs response on page 30.
Caledonia.

Islands Business, March 2018 17