This week, there have been renewed calls for the dismissal of Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, following her recent comments advocating for the death penalty for drug traffickers in Fiji. Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry expressed strong criticism, urging Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to terminate Tabuya’s position for making such statements without prior consultation with the Cabinet or the Prime Minister. Chaudhry emphasized that important issues require a more structured discussion.
Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube echoed Chaudhry’s sentiments, stating that Tabuya’s remarks reflect a lack of respect for the Prime Minister. He argued that significant issues should be handled with gravity and that no minister should be making statements without proper oversight, suggesting that this indicates a failure in leadership on the part of the Prime Minister.
Tabuya’s call for the death penalty was met with backlash from various groups, including human rights advocates and social media commentators. The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission labeled her statement as a serious human rights violation, while the Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, advocated for a more humane approach. Former FHRADC director Shaista Shameem criticized the death penalty as a “cruel and degrading punishment,” and the Fiji Law Society noted that the death penalty is not supported by the 2013 Constitution.
During the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, Prime Minister Rabuka stated that Tabuya’s comments were inappropriate and that she should have sought Cabinet approval before addressing such a contentious issue. He labeled her statement as unfortunate, asserting that significant matters should first be discussed within the Cabinet.
The death penalty remains illegal under the 2013 Constitution, and Rabuka anticipated that the acting Prime Minister would bring up the matter in the next Cabinet meeting. Tabuya has previously been under scrutiny due to allegations surrounding her personal conduct.
In a separate address, Prime Minister Rabuka assured the Fijian community in Tonga that the government is committed to combatting Fiji’s drug issues, asserting that they will actively seek out and dismantle drug operations. He highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to address crime, particularly drug-related offenses, mentioning localized measures taken in Sabeto Village to restrict nighttime movement in an attempt to reduce drug use.