Stricter penalties have been imposed on those people caught to be involved in human trafficking either within Fiji or outside of Fiji, with severe penalties imposed when children are involved.
Director Public Prosecutions, Aca Rayawa while addressing the participants at the Trafficking in Person Workshop yesterday said that under the New Crimes Decree, the DPP and the Police now have the power to arrest and charge any person they deem to be either committing the offense, or organising and facilitating the entry or proposed entry and exit of another person into or from Fiji.
Rayawa added that in the past, when a person leaves the country nothing could be done, but under the Decree Police and DPP will be able to seek the assistance from overseas countries and try the person in Fiji.
Under the New Crimes Decree section 112, anyone who commits the offence of trafficking faces a 12 year imprisonment.
This includes the arrangement for the other person to provide sexual services in and outside of Fiji or even when a person deceives or holds someone on debt bondage to provide sexual services.
Rayawa stressed that the normal procedure for Police officers would be to arrest prostitutes or anyone who comes and complains that they were forced to provide sexual services, however they need to look at the bigger picture.
A 20 year imprisonment is imposed when a person uses force, threat or subjects another person to inhuman or degrading treatment or even engages in reckless behaviour that endangers the life of the victim.
Meanwhile, in sub section 1C and 2C of the Crimes decree, a 25 year imprisonment is imposed on any person who facilitates the entry of proposed entry into Fiji of any person below the age of 18 years.
The Workshop Forum for Trafficking in human continues today.
