Minister Lynda Tabuya, responsible for Women, Children, and Social Protection, has ignited a debate by proposing the death penalty for drug traffickers in Fiji. During a speech at her ministry’s headquarters, she expressed that Fiji’s position as a transit point for illegal drugs necessitates severe penalties to deter trafficking activities.
Critics have quickly responded to her proposal. Tabuya emphasized the country’s vulnerability due to its proximity to larger drug markets, stating, “We’re a transit point for bigger developed countries. What do we do to protect our borders and our people from these harmful drugs?” She drew comparisons to Singapore, where the death penalty is implemented for significant drug trafficking offenses, urging Fiji to consider adopting similar laws. “We need to claim our borders, our sovereignty, and send a message to all drug traffickers and lords,” she asserted.
However, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, opposed her stance, advocating for a more humane and comprehensive strategy to tackle drug trafficking. He stressed the necessity of modernizing the police force and enhancing international collaboration. “These strategies represent a holistic approach to addressing drug trafficking and related crimes through stronger institutions, better resources, and international collaboration, which are likely to yield more sustainable results,” Mr. Tikoduadua said. He cautioned that reinstating the death penalty could detract from addressing the underlying causes of drug trafficking.
Human rights advocates have also expressed their dissent. Dr. Shaista Shameem, a former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, criticized the death penalty as a cruel and degrading punishment, arguing it denies individuals the chance for rehabilitation. She recalled that the death penalty was abolished for treason in 1979 following unanimous support from parliamentarians. “The death penalty was abolished after parliamentarians, including religious groups, agreed it was not the solution to any crime, even treason,” Dr. Shameem noted, emphasizing that discussions about its reinstatement should be approached with empathy and understanding.
Additionally, the Fiji Law Society highlighted that the death penalty is absent from the Constitution, indicating that any efforts to bring it back would likely encounter significant legal challenges. The death penalty was outlawed for all crimes in Fiji in 2015, and the 2013 Constitution explicitly prohibits its use. Ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in 2015 further complicates any attempts to reintroduce capital punishment, as UNCAT upholds a global prohibition against torture and related practices, a commitment bolstered by enhanced training for Fiji’s security forces.