Fiji: Information on crime rates, groups involved in and affected by crime particularly in Lautoka City, and the police response

Detailed information on crime rates, groups involved and affected by crime and the police response could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. An Agence France Presse (AFP) report of 19 December 1996 describes the crime rate in Fiji as "soaring" and "developing into a major social problem" with police statistics indicating that Fiji, with a crime rate of 28 per cent, has one of the highest per capita crime rates in the world. This same report, quoting police statistics again, states that "the largest increases have been in burglaries and home break-ins which have almost doubled in the last five years, rising from 611 in 1991 to 1217 in 1995". Much of this sort of crime is directed at the Indo-Fijian population who are known to possess expensive gold jewellery in their homes. According to a Radio Australia report of 29 April 1996, the Opposition leader, Jai Ram Reddy, blamed the economy and the rising crime rate for the exodus of 40,000 people, 90 per cent Indo-Fijian, since the military coups in 1987. Please see the attached AFP article of 9 April 1996 for more information on this type of crime directed at the Indo-Fijian population. For general information on crime in Fiji and the police response, please see the Australia OSAC Crime Report of 21 March 1996 below:

Fiji

a)  General Situation

The potential for terrorist activity directed against Americans is rated as low.  In 1992, Fiji took a major step in its return to a fully democratic government with the holding of the first general election since the coup of 1987. The conduct of these elections was free and fair as were another round in 1994.  The major human rights hurdle which still needs to be overcome is the 1990 constitution which created a racially-biased parliament in which more seats were allotted to indigenous Fijians than to their Indo-Fijian counterparts, despite their almost equal numbers.  However, both races are currently represented in parliament and have pledged to peaceably resolve the issue.  The final controls on freedom of movement associated with the coups are anticipated to end with the planned ending of the Sunday observance decree (banning organized commercial, sports and other non-religious activities on Sundays).

B)  Crime Situation

The country is comprised of some 320 islands with the population concentrated on the larger islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. While Americans per se are not pinpointed as targets for criminal activity, the life styles and appearances of tourists and expatriates generally put them at risk.  Thefts, sexual harassment and burglaries occur from time to time. Most crimes occur in the larger population centers of Viti Levu, in cities such as Suva, Nadi and Lautoka.  Many of the cases reported involved theft of some sort, sometimes accompanied by assault with bodily harm or the threat thereof.  There  is recent anecdotal evidence of an increase in the use of violence in criminal activities. There has been an increase in the reported crimes involving visitors to Fiji.  Most of those incidents concerned reports of lost or missing property, sometimes involving direct confrontation with the thieves and the threat of physical harm. According to police, peak seasons for crime, particularly theft, occur during holidays or school vacations when families are away from their homes or attending crowded events.  Some residents of Fiji's larger cities keep watchdogs to ward off house break-ins. Tourists to Fiji typically spend most of their stay at the beach resorts which are located well away from centers of most criminal activity. No typical victim profile is available; however, many of the crimes against persons (assault, robbery, rape, etc.) are perpetrated by young, unemployed Fijian males sometimes under the influence of alcohol.

C)  Police Assistance

 The Suva police emergency telephone number is "000" . Tourists or business people visiting Fiji should ask hotel staff to contact police or hospitals in emergencies.  Emergency fire and ambulance assistance are also reached through the "000" number.  The Fijian police force suffers from a lack of trained personnel and poor transportation resources.  Lack of transportation can often result in delays of more than one hour in responding to calls for assistance.  In response to an increase in crime, estimated as high as forty percent for some crimes over the past year, the police force is attempting to mobilize additional manpower and equipment. The rather dramatic increase in crime has thoroughly captured the attention of the media and the general public and steps are being proposed to combat the problems.

D)  Measures To Avoid Being A Victim

 Tourists are encouraged to use common sense and caution regarding their valuables and activities while in Fiji.  Many tourist, victims of robberies and assaults, have been single backpackers who had their cameras and money taken while visiting certain forested areas near the capital or remote beaches.  Visitors are advised to avoid walking alone in isolated areas or near major city centers after dark.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Response.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP).19 December 1996. Asha Lakhan."Theft Is a Multi-Million Dollar Industry In Fiji: Police." (NEXIS)

Australia Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime Report. 21 March 1996. [Internet] [Accessed 12 Dec. 1997].

Radio Australia [Melbourne]. 29 April 1996. "Opposition Leader Blames Economy, Crime for Exodus of Indo-Fijians." (BBC  Summary 29 Apr. 1996/NEXIS)

Attachment

Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 April 1996. "Curfew Call Arouses a Storm of Protest." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Resource Centre Country File (Fiji). 1993 to present.

World Encyclopedia of Police Forces and Penal Systems [New York]. 1989.

2 oral sources were unable to provide information on the requested subject.