The Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, has stirred controversy by calling for the death penalty for drug traffickers in Fiji. During a speech at her ministry’s headquarters, she argued that Fiji’s position as a transit hub for illegal drugs justifies the implementation of severe penalties to deter traffickers.
Despite her arguments, Tabuya’s proposal has faced backlash from multiple sources. She highlighted Fiji’s increasing vulnerability due to its location near 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?”
Referencing Singapore’s strict stance, which includes the death penalty for trafficking significant amounts of drugs, she emphasized that Fiji should contemplate similar actions to safeguard its borders and send a strong message to would-be traffickers.
In response, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, rejected Tabuya’s recommendations, advocating for a more compassionate and comprehensive approach to tackling drug trafficking. He stressed the necessity of modernizing the police force and boosting international cooperation, suggesting that these steps would lead to more sustainable results in combating drug-related crime.
Tikoduadua pointed out that capital punishment might distract from addressing the underlying reasons behind drug trafficking. Human rights advocates shared his concerns, including Dr. Shaista Shameem, a former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission. She criticized the death penalty as a cruel and inhuman punishment that denies individuals the chance for rehabilitation. She reminded the public that Fiji had previously abolished the death penalty for treason in 1979 with unanimous parliamentary support, emphasizing that the issue should be approached with care and empathy.
The Fiji Law Society has also intervened, noting that the death penalty is currently not stipulated in the Constitution. Reintroducing it would encounter substantial legal challenges, especially since capital punishment was outlawed for all crimes in 2015, and the 2013 Constitution prohibits its use. Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in 2015 adds further complications to any effort to reinstate the death penalty, as the convention imposes a global ban on torture and related practices. Fiji has reinforced its commitment to these principles through enhanced training programs for its security forces.