COUNTERING HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING

The Permanent Secretary for Defence, National Security and Policing, Mr Manasa Lesuma officiated at the official opening of the Countering Human Trafficking training which was held at the Holiday Inn in Suva from 28th -29th January, 2021.

The training which was organized by the Ministry of Defence, National Security and Policing in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was aimed at enhancing the capability of our officers in the correct identification, differentiation and management of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and the Smuggling of Migrants (SOM).

Participants at the training included officers from the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Ministry of Fisheries, Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji Police Force, Fiji Immigration Department and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services.

In his opening address PS Lesuma highlighted the significance of the training as a platform to begin the implementation of the National Anti- Human Trafficking Strategies and Action Plan which was formally endorsed by Cabinet on Tuesday 26th January 2020. He stated that the 2020 US TIP report had outlined 12 recommendations that translate to specific actions Fiji is required to conduct in order to remain compliant and be promoted to either a Tier 2 substantive or Tier 1 ranking and that the National Anti- Human Trafficking Strategy and its Action Plan provides the strategies that will ensure that we action the 12 recommendations.

He added, one of the strategies and recommendations from the US TIP report which was being implemented through the workshop was ensuring that government officials in operational roles are equipped with the competency to identify and manage suspected people trafficking activity through specialized training and technical assistance.

The two day training was officially closed by the Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Hon Inia Seruiratu who commended the facilitators for working with the Ministry and the government to organize this very important training and urged participants to not only acknowledge the lessons learnt but to continue to work together to enhance our national efforts in addressing this issue