A-G Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
The Fijian Government has extended the amnesty for late registrations of births.
During this period, the usual fee of $11.50 will be waived for a registration made more than 12 months after birth.
The amnesty extension was granted by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, following a request from the Government team currently in the Lau Group conducting registrations.
“The demand for this service is so high in Lau that the team needs more time to finish their work and make sure no Fijian is left behind,” he said.
The Attorney-General added that the response to Government’s amnesty has been very strong across the whole country, especially in rural and maritime communities.
“We will release the final figures after the exercise is complete, but suffice it to say that the Bainimarama Government is tackling the problem of unregistered births in Fiji, following the neglect of past governments” he said.
The Attorney-General said that even after amnesty ends, Government will continue its active campaign of visiting Fiji’s more isolated communities on a regular basis to give Fijians the opportunity to register new births and receive birth certificates for their children.
“A birth certificate is a Fijian’s ultimate proof of identity and they need one to access important services like education, social welfare, health care and registering to vote,” he said.
The Attorney-General has urged Fijians to take advantage of the amnesty to register themselves and their children if they have not already done so.
MINFO