Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 - Fiji
| Publisher | Child Soldiers International |
| Publication Date | 2004 |
| Cite as | Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 - Fiji, 2004, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4988065ea.html [accessed 1 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Republic of the Fiji Islands
Covers the period from April 2001 to March 2004.
Population: 831,000 (322,000 under 18)
Government armed forces: 3,500 (estimate)
Compulsory recruitment age: no conscription
Voluntary recruitment age: 18
Voting age: 21
Optional Protocol: not signed
Other treaties ratified (see glossary): CRC, ICC, ILO 138, ILO 182
There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces. More than 1,500 Fijian soldiers had been recruited into the United Kingdom (UK) army since 1998, where the minimum voluntary recruitment age was 16. It was not known whether they included under-18s.
Context
The Police Commissioner announced in October 2003 that, of the 3,521 people investigated over the past three years for crimes related to the violent coup in May 2000, more than 700 were convicted and nearly 200 received prison terms.1 There were allegations that the head of the armed forces, Commodore Voreque Bainimarama, had attempted to overthrow the government in early 2004 because his term of office was not extended.2 A commission of inquiry was set up to investigate the allegations.3 Since July 2003 Fijian soldiers and police forces have taken part in Operation "Helpem Fren" (Helping a Friend), to end civil conflict and lawlessness in the Solomon Islands.4
The Family Law Act, due to come into effect in 2005, was passed in October 2003. It brings key children's rights under national law into line with national and international human rights law and prioritizes children's best interests in government decision-making.5
Government
National recruitment legislation and practice
There is no conscription into the armed forces and an individual must be at least 18 to be recruited into the army.6 There was no information on child recruitment.
The armed forces, comprising the army and a naval force, are responsible for "defence, internal security, international peacekeeping duties, youth training and infrastructure development in rural areas" as well as coastguard and emergency rescue services.7
Nearly 1,000 Fijian soldiers have been recruited into the UK armed forces since April 2001, as part of a special recruitment program requested by governments in certain Commonwealth countries. There were over 1,500 Fijian soldiers recruited into the UK army in the five years to March 2003, but no figures were available for the naval and air forces.8 The minimum age for voluntary recruitment into the UK armed forces is 16 (see UK entry).
1 Amnesty International Report 2004, http://web. amnesty.org/library/engindex.
2 ABC online, "Fiji Cabinet to meet over military coup claims", 17 May 2004.
3 Pacific Magazine and Islands Business, "Fiji: 'Inquiry may backfire', Army warns", 21 May 2004, http://www.pacificislands.cc.
4 Australian Federal Police, "Operation Helpem Fren", 17 May 2004, http://www.afp.gov.au (International).
5 Amnesty International Report 2004.
6 Initial report of Fiji to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, UN Doc. CRC/C/28/Add.7, 24 September 1996, http://www.ohchr.org.
7 Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and National Disaster Management, "Republic of Fiji Military Forces", http://www.fiji.gov.fj (Ministries and departments).
8 House of Commons (UK Parliament), Hansard Written Answers, 3 February 2003 and 20 October 2003, http://www.publications.parliament.uk.
