11. Mr.Osea CAWARU, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defense, National Security and Immigration, Fiji, said that transnational crime and organized crime was a key security issue that undermined economies, impeded progress, and fuelled corruption.
12. Fiji had taken carious initiatives to address global policing challenges of the 21st century. As the hub of the Pacific, it was vulnerable to drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, money laundering, cybercrimes, identity theft, illegal fishing and terrorism. Since 2004, such crimes had been emerging increasingly, and had shown that networks and well- established crime groups were present in the region.
13. Fiji nevertheless had limited capacity to focus on human trafficking, but had revised its immigration laws to make the crime punishable by law. Its Immigration Act of 2003 moreover prohibited trafficking for sexual purposes or for labor, and imposed severe penalties for offenders. In 2011, a national plan of action to eradicate trafficking in persons and child trafficking had been launched, and specialized units had been created to investigate human trafficking and cybercrime.
14. Other initiatives had been launched at a regional level, via the Melanesian Spearhead Group. They included harmonizing standards relating to security, monitoring and surveillance in the region. The aim was to take a holistic approach to the problems of the region’s interdependence. Cross-border co-operation in all facets of policing was essential and Fiji was committed to enhancing and maintaining regional and global security initiatives.
15. Efforts were under way to improve the Fiji police force and prepare a conductive environment for the 2014 General Elections and beyond. It was clear that building strategic partnership was crucial. So despite its capacity constraints, Fiji continued to develop partnership with other INTERPOL member countries and welcomed international assistance with regard to capacity building and technology. The global partnerships made possible through the INTERPOL office and other bilateral partnerships were of considerable assistance in fighting crimes.
16. The way forward included memoranda of understanding with foreign law enforcement agencies: Fiji had signed to date.