Children’s Minister Lynda Tabuya argued that raising the criminal age from 10 to 14 will ease the workload of the Fiji Police.

The minister’s response comes as police have taken their stand, saying they do not agree with this proposal in the Child Care and Protection Bill, as they fear it will only lead to more children taking advantage of the law and committing crimes.

In response, Tabuya argues that the bill is a diversion that allows children to participate in rehabilitation programs rather than enter the criminal justice system.

Meanwhile, Deputy Police Crime Commissioner Mesake Waqa claims that if the proposed bill becomes law, Fiji Police envisions a future where children will no longer be afraid to commit crime.

“This change could result in an increase in youth crime as young offenders operate without fear and legal consequences, which could lead to young people becoming victims of crime and also a challenge to our crime prevention.”

The children’s minister, on the other hand, challenges the police’s stance and claims that as it is now, more children will end up in prison without getting the right support.

“What the Children’s Bill proposes is that when a child is presented to the police station between the ages of 10 and 14, there is a diversion program. That child is diverted from the police force that deals with them and into a program that helps them rehabilitate. Right now when children are presented, they are placed in the youth center and imprisoned, it does nothing for them.”

Tabuya hopes the police will change their stance and support the bill, arguing it is in the best interests of Fijian children.

“There are some members of the Fiji Police who disagree, but I think once we get into operationalizing the bills and we provide the support program or the capacity building for the Fiji Police to deal with these cases, I think they will be enlightened and they will to get on board in terms of the evidence that is available and also the programs to really look at taking care of our children.”

In response to another comment by the police saying that children are very aware of what they are doing due to technological advances, the Minister for Children says that children’s access to technology is unregulated, and this cannot be held against them.

Tabuya claims the prison system is overcrowded and the majority of inmates are repeat offenders, due to the lack of a diversion program when they first entered at a young age.