Fiji 2020 Crime & Safety Report - Fiji

Fiji 2020 Crime & Safety Report

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in
Suva. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in
Fiji. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Fiji-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular
messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives
with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Fiji
at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding
the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Suva as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or
affecting official U.S. government interests. Crime is a continuing problem in Fiji, and can have a major
impact on the work and life of the community. The majority of crime occurs in more densely populated
urban areas. Although tourists and U.S. citizens do not appear to be disproportionate victims of criminal
activity, foreigners tend to attract more attention than local residents do. Criminals perceive them to carry
more money, and may target them for armed/unarmed robbery and assault for that reason. These crimes
occur with some frequency, primarily in certain areas of downtown Suva, in/around tourist hotels with
less security, and in remote regions of the country.

The most common types of crime are property crimes (e.g. robbery, burglary, petty theft). Street
robberies and pickpocketing incidents, especially those targeting visitors in western towns popular with
tourists, occur both day and night. Criminals typically work in pairs, but also operate in larger groups.
These groups lack an organizational hierarchy or long-term vision, and generally operate on an ad hoc
basis. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind.

Most assaults and robberies occur at night around popular restaurants and nightclubs. Often, the
perpetrators and/or victims are intoxicated. Areas located near impoverished settlements, including some
resorts, have a higher rate of burglary. Such settlements are ubiquitous and difficult to avoid.

Most burglars prefer to avoid direct violence or confrontation. Because firearms are very limited and
offenses involving firearms carry stiff penalties, criminals are more likely to use other weapons (e.g. cane
knives, similar to machetes; other sharp objects; or blunt instruments) in the commission of crime. It is
common to see people carrying cane knives outside of the city, as they are a routinely used agricultural
tool. Many burglars do not hesitate to enter an occupied residence or business and brandish weapons. In
such cases, the burglaries appear planned and may involve groups of 2-10 people. Criminal elements have
bent and broken through security bars and, on occasion, solid wood doors. Some criminals also target
cash-reliant businesses for robbery due to careless cash-handling procedures. Review OSAC’s reports,
Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security.

Violent crimes (e.g. assault, armed robbery) are generally less common than in many cities in the U.S.
Sexual assaults are also a concern, particularly for women traveling alone at night; they occur more
frequently than one would expect given Fiji’s reputation as an island paradise. Review the State
Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

Hotel beaches are public by law, but hotel guests are generally the only users; beaches are generally safe.
Avoid publicly accessible beaches after dark – particularly those that experience less traffic.

There are elements of Asian organized crime involved in illegal gambling, prostitution, cybercrime, and
narcotics distribution in Fiji. These elements are unlikely to affect U.S. citizens or private-sector
organizations uninvolved in the illegal activities associated with these groups. In recent years, Australian
outlaw motorcycle gangs have attempted to establish a presence in Fiji, but they do not appear to have
caused any significant crime-related issues.

Fiji continues to face issues associated with ATM/credit card scams. In 2016, Fijian law enforcement
identified skimming devices and related equipment commonly used in ATM and credit card-related fraud.
Most of the skimmers are easily identifiable, but many victims still fail to recognize the devices. Some
banks have added increased security measures to ATMs – including anti-tampering measures and PIN
concealment covers – but small, regional banks continue to be targets due to the absence of such security
features. In late 2017, authorities arrested three Bulgarian nationals for possession of a skimming device
with intention to obtain personal financial information dishonestly. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas
Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.

Cybersecurity Issues

Email and social media fraud schemes, which range from romance schemes to variations of Nigerian / 419
/ advance-fee fraud scams, also appear to be increasing. In August 2017, police arrested 77 Chinese
nationals on suspicion of fraud, later deporting them. The suspects reportedly defrauded close to
US$900,000 as part of an online fraud syndicate operating from China, Indonesia, and Fiji. The group
appears not to have targeted U.S interests, focusing instead on Chinese citizens living in Fiji.

Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi,
Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Drive defensively and cautiously. Road conditions in urban areas are generally fair, with the exception of
large potholes that appear following heavy rainstorms. Road infrastructure in rural areas can be poor and
potentially dangerous. Poor road conditions, unfenced livestock, stray pets, unwary pedestrians, and large
potholes present safety hazards, particularly after dark. There continue to be reports of fatal vehicle
accidents involving collisions with roaming livestock that stray into the middle of highways.

Street thieves commonly walk a line of parked cars attempting to find one that is unlocked. Lock doors,
roll up windows, and leave nothing of value in sight.

Due to increased number of police vehicles, traffic law enforcement is more frequent, but is still minimal
at best. The Fijian government has installed traffic cameras along main highways and at stoplights. The
locations of the cameras, which public, have served to reduce speeding in and around the camera
locations. Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive
Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Conditions

Due to frequent and sometimes violent crime targeting taxi drivers, do not allow taxis to pick up other
passengers while they are in the vehicle, and do not enter a taxi that already has passengers. Many taxis
lack seatbelts and are in poor condition. When using a taxi, use a reputable taxi service with well-
maintained vehicles.

Some minibus, bus, and taxi drivers drive recklessly and do not always adhere to traffic laws. There have
also been reports of drivers operating public vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or kava. Many
buses are older models; there have been multiple reports of public buses catching on fire. These large,
yellow public buses frequently fail to merge properly with the flow of traffic.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

The airports are relatively free of crime, but there have been reports of items stolen from checked
baggage. This trend has continued to decline, but passengers should maintain awareness of their
belongings at all times, use Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks, and retrieve
their checked bags as soon as possible. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public
Transport, and Overnights.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Suva as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at
or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Suva as being a LOW-threat location for political violence
directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Fiji is still emerging from the legacy of its coup-
era government policies, and has taken notable steps in returning to democracy. The government has
made efforts to court international investors, and has prioritized social stability, human rights, and climate
change. Fiji held democratic elections in 2014 and 2018, the first since a 2006 coup. The international
community deemed both elections credible.

Civil Unrest

Although protests are not common, avoid demonstrations and large crowds, as even peaceful
demonstrations can turn violent unexpectedly. While daily life appears calm on the surface, Fiji’s history
suggests that civil unrest could erupt without advance notice. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest

In October 2017, the Fiji Trade Union staged a peaceful protest with more than 400 participants marching
through downtown Suva. The government granted approval and issued a rare permit for the protest to
take place.

The Fijian government pursued charges against the Fiji Times newspaper for publishing a letter to the
editor that the government alleged was likely to incite dislike, hatred, or antagonism toward the Muslim
minority, which is a violation of the Crimes Decree. These events received significant attention on
traditional and social media, but did not lead to any public protests or demonstrations.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Several of Fiji’s major political parties operate along ethnic lines. In times of political turmoil surrounding
earlier coups, ethnic violence involving indigenous nationalist perpetrators has targeted the Indo-Fijian
population. The current government has prioritized the elimination of race-based politics and called for a
multi-cultural, inclusive Fijian national identity. Despite some improvements, tensions still exist in some
areas between the iTaukei and Indo-Fijian communities, and to a lesser extent people of Chinese descent.
The military remains more than 90% ethnic-iTaukei, though the police force is much more ethnically
diverse.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Fiji is subject to many natural disasters, including cyclones, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and landslides.
Although the probability of a major earthquake or tsunami occurring during a particular trip is remote,
small-scale earthquakes are common.

The cyclone (hurricane) season typically runs November-April. Cyclone activity frequently causes flooding
in the coastal or low-lying areas, often cutting off access to resorts, roads, and villages. Public services
(e.g. water, electricity, transportation) are unlikely to be available for a significant period following a
powerful cyclone.

In 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston became the strongest recorded tropical cyclone to make landfall in Fiji
and the South Pacific Basin. The Category 5 cyclone inflicted extensive damage on many islands, killing 44
people, destroying 40,000 homes, and costing upward of US$1.4 billion in damages.

In 2014, a landslide interrupted Suva’s water supply, causing a significant water shortage in the capital for
several days.

Critical Infrastructure

Industrial accidents occasionally occur, usually in the form of fires at warehouses or commercial facilities.
Often, these structures do not have fire alarms installed or fire suppression equipment in close proximity.
Most tourist hotels in the tourist centers have up-to-date fire alarms and proper evacuation plans in place.
Review OSAC’s report, Fire Safety Abroad

Economic Concerns

Fiji has improved the enforcement of intellectual property rights and committed to compliance with
international law. As a result, the frequency of pirated items has declined. Nevertheless, some stores still
openly sell pirated copies of movies, television shows, and music, and counterfeit clothing, jewelry, and
other luxury goods.

International investors must conduct sufficient due diligence to assess judicial transparency, government
accountability, and avenues for recourse under the law.

Personal Identity Concerns

There continue to be concerns related to gender, sexual orientation, and race. Fiji’s ethnic groups include
indigenous Fijians (also called iTaukei, who constitute roughly 57% of the population), Indo-Fijians (37%),
and several smaller groups of European, Asian, and other Pacific Islander descent. At times, Fiji
experiences tension between ethnic groups.

Fijians are generally polite to women, but there continues to be a problem with sexual assault cases and
physical abuse. The majority of the physical abuse relates to families, as gender-based domestic violence
is prevalent in Fiji. Instances of sexual assault most often involve a guardian or family member. Other
instances of sexual assault often involve victims who are intoxicated and/or in an isolated areas. Review
the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

LGBTI+ orientation is generally accepted, but the local populace may not always use politically correct
terms. There have not been any reports of violence related to sexual orientation. Review the State

Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

Drug-related Crimes

Drug addiction does contribute to some of the petty crime that occurs in Fiji. Penalties for possession, use,
or trafficking in illegal drugs (including marijuana), are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail
sentences and heavy fines.

There has been a recent uptick in the local sale and use of methamphetamine, which previously only
transited through Fiji on the way to Australia or New Zealand. This past year, there has been spike in
methamphetamine related arrests.

Kidnapping Threat

There are limited cases of kidnapping in Fiji. Most instances are family-related. In 2016, criminals
kidnapped a French national employee of the French Embassy in overnight hours, but released the victim
after the vehicle crashed and police responded. There was no indication that the criminal targeted the
victim because she was a Western diplomat. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics

Other Issues

The law theoretically guarantees freedom of expression, but restrictions exist in practice. The government
enforces the Media Industry Development Decree, which allows for fines when the government deems
journalists are reporting on issues against the poorly defined “public interest.” The government has
prosecuted media outlets and civil society organizations for republishing or quoting material that allegedly
questioned the independence of Fiji’s judiciary. Individuals, media outlets, and civil society organizations
practice varying degrees of self-censorship in order to avoid undue government attention and possible
repercussions.

Travelers visiting local Fijian villages must check with local authorities for permission before making
arrangements. All visitors should become familiar with local customs prior to any visits.

Police Response

The emergency line in Fiji is 911; for fire emergencies, dial 917. For administrative calls to the local fire
and police posts, dial: Korolevu (Fire: 650-0516, Police: 653-0122); Labasa (Fire: 881-1333, Police: 881-
1222); Lautoka (Fire: 666-0211, Police: 666-0222); Nadi (Fire: 670-0475, Police: 670-0222); Suva (Fire: 331-
2877, Police: 331-1222). The Fiji Police Force is a professional, albeit under-resourced, law enforcement
organization. Recently, there has been an improvement in training, accountability, and regional
cooperation. Police generally do not have vehicles to respond to calls, and are unlikely to arrive in time to
disrupt a crime in progress.

Fijian law permits police officers to search any person, building, vehicle, cargo, or baggage if there are
reasonable grounds to believe in a connection to any offense against public order or the crime decree.
Obscene material (pornography) is illegal, and the law only loosely defines what constitutes obscene
materials.

Carry a copy of your passport on your person; police often ask for identification of all parties involved in
any type of incident.

Local laws allow police to detain someone for up to 48 hours for administrative processing without charge,
and for an additional 14 days upon approval by the Police Commissioner. In the case of a military
detention, there is no guarantee that the Embassy would be able to visit the detained citizen. There are
no set legal rules on military detention. Victims of crime can expect fair treatment with dignity. The
relative inefficiency and overly bureaucratic judicial process may frustrate victims. Download the State
Department’s Crime Victim Assistance brochure.

Medical Emergencies

The medical emergency line in Fiji is 910. Health care facilities in Fiji's urban areas are adequate for most
routine medical problems. Although a private hospital in Suva provides Western-style medical treatment,
the standards of care are below those in the United State. In rural areas, staff training is limited, and there
are often shortages of supplies and medications. Carry adequate supplies of any needed prescription
medicines, along with copies of prescriptions, the generic name of the drugs, and a supply of preferred
over-the-counter medications. Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.

Emergency response is extremely limited. Ambulance availability is minimal, and ambulances are often
poorly equipped and not staffed with medical personnel. Rural areas have extremely limited ambulance
services. For a list of available medical facilities, refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

A recompression chamber at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva can treat decompression
sickness; however, the chamber is not always fully functional.

Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services. Those with medical
emergencies may require evacuation (medevac) to Australia, New Zealand, or the United States. Medevac
costs thousands of dollars, and is available only to patients with adequate insurance or upfront payment.
In some cases, a medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand can require a medical visa. The U.S.
Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling
internationally. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas.

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Fiji.

OSAC Country Council Information

Fiji is in the process of launching an OSAC Country Council. Interested private-sector security managers
should contact OSAC’s Asia Pacific team with any questions.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

158 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva
Switchboard: +679 331-4466
Emergencies: +679 772-8049
Website: http://fj.usembassy.gov

The Consular Section does not provide a walk-in information service to the public. The section is open
from 0900-1200 and 1400-1600 Monday-Thursday, and 0900-1200 Friday to appointment holders and
persons requesting American Citizen Services.

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

    •   OSAC Risk Matrix
    •   OSAC Travelers Toolkit
    •   State Department Traveler’s Checklist
    •   Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)