CHILDREN under the age of 15 could be used as vehicles of crime under the proposed Criminal Records Bill.
This was highlighted by justice of peace and Ba resident Alsheik Ashad Ali during a Parliamentary Standing Committee for Justice, Law and Human Rights public consultation on the draft legislation in Nadi yesterday.
Mr Ali pointed out Section 17(1)(c) of the proposed Criminal Records Bill stated a person convicted for an offence against any law of Fiji or foreign law by a person becomes spent on the day on which the person is convicted if the conviction, including a serious conviction, is for an offence committed when the person was under the age of 15 years.
“Children could be used as a vehicle to transport drugs,” said Mr Ali.
“A lot of things is happening which is unexpected like in Ba. This is something that could allow criminals to use children in their activities.”
Explaining his concerns, the Commissioner of Oaths said the proposed legislation had a number of provisions that could create more issues.
“It is high time that we stop such things from slipping from Parliament otherwise we are opening the door to risks where children are being used by criminals.
“This is a very highly disorganised (draft) Bill.
“They are promoting rehabilitation, but they will get confused by some of these provisions.
“They need to tighten it up to ensure that they these sorts of things do not happen in the future when this Bill becomes law.”
He said he was concerned that children could be used as drug mules.
“The status of Fiji right now where we have criminal syndicates in the country that are bringing in drugs, we could be allowing children to be used by these dealers.
“Not only the drug syndicates, but it could also be anyone with ill intentions.
“There are countries in the world that use and train children on how to use a knife and kill.
“So anyone can take advantage of this section if it comes into effect.
“Again, it is high time that we stop these legislations from slipping through Parliament and possibly opening the door to more problems.”
Consultations on the proposed Bill will continue in Lautoka tomorrow.
