FIJI’S ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography will further strengthen its commitment towards safeguarding children, says Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa.
She said the ratification of the optional protocol would move Fiji a step further in showing its national commitment on the international arena.
“This convention sets out standards and protocols to safeguard the rights and the welfare of our children. As a signatory, Government is mandated to implement child protection laws and initiatives aligned to the convention,” she said.
She said the Fijian Constitution 2013, the Crimes Act 2009 and Online Safety Act 2018 represented Fiji’s position against sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
Responding to the statement, Opposition MP Lynda Tabuya said there was not much laws addressing child pornography.
“The laws deal with the sale of children and child prostitution but there is nothing much in our laws on child pornography,” Ms Tabuya said. “Fiji continues to rank high with searches in Pornhub.
“This is why I will continue to advocate for us to ban porn sites like Pornhub and XVideos.
“Our children are getting more and more exposed freely to pornography. Children are taking videos of children engaging in sexual acts and sharing it to their friends when it gets out. Even adults are doing it.”
