Calls for the dismissal of Lynda Tabuya, Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, have intensified following her recent proposal for the death penalty for traffickers of large amounts of illegal drugs. Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry publicly urged Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to remove Tabuya from her position, stating that she spoke on significant issues without proper consultation with the Cabinet or the Prime Minister.
Chaudhry expressed strong sentiments, saying, “Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka should fire Lynda Tabuya. She should be sacked as the Minister for speaking on matters without consultation.” Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube echoed Chaudhry’s sentiments, criticizing Tabuya’s remarks as disrespectful to Rabuka and highlighting that such serious issues require careful discourse among government officials.
Tabuya argued that strong measures, including capital punishment, are necessary to tackle drug trafficking, claiming that Fiji’s borders are vulnerable and need protection. This statement sparked backlash from various groups, including human rights advocates and social media commentators. The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission condemned her proposal as a serious infringement on human rights, while others noted that the death penalty is prohibited under Fiji’s 2013 Constitution.
During the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, Prime Minister Rabuka remarked that Tabuya erred in her comments and emphasized that such significant matters should be discussed within the Cabinet. He reaffirmed that the death penalty is illegal according to the current legal framework and expressed hope that the issue would be addressed at the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
This incident is not the first controversy surrounding Tabuya, who faced scrutiny earlier in the year over allegations regarding drug use and an extramarital affair. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rabuka, addressing the Fijian community in Tonga, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to combat the drug problem in Fiji, vowing to identify and dismantle drug operations and emphasizing the need for collective action against crime.