The Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, Lynda Tabuya, is advocating for the reinstatement of the death penalty for drug traffickers found with significant amounts of narcotics.
In a statement to the media, Tabuya highlighted that Fiji has become a transit hub for drug trafficking, necessitating the implementation of stricter laws to safeguard the nation’s borders and its citizens. She expressed grave concerns regarding the widespread accessibility of drugs in the community, affecting both adults and children.
Tabuya emphasized the need for a deterrent, suggesting that the death penalty could help protect individuals who may not fully comprehend the dangers of drug use, and who resort to drug-related activities for quick financial gain. She noted that the detrimental impact of drugs outweighs any potential economic benefits from their sale.
The Minister argued that harsher penalties are essential to discourage drug traffickers and organized crime from operating in Fiji. She believes that adopting tougher measures, including the death penalty, could help mitigate the drug trade and its negative consequences on society.
Historically, Fiji abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1979 and for all crimes in 2015, with the last execution taking place in 1964. Since then, Fiji has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding fundamental human rights, as outlined in its Constitution, which established a comprehensive Bill of Rights in 2013. Moreover, the previous Attorney-General had facilitated the removal of the death penalty from military laws, effectively eliminating it from national legislation.