Fiji, as a sovereign nation, must take a decisive stand against the illicit drug trade, both domestically and internationally, according to Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya. Her remarks followed comments from Human Rights Commission chairman Pravesh Sharma, who disagreed with her advocacy for the death penalty for those trafficking significant amounts of drugs.
Tabuya acknowledged the arguments against the death penalty from a human rights perspective but emphasized the need for a national dialogue regarding the protection of Fijians, particularly the youth, who comprise 70 percent of the population. She suggested that the community’s safety might necessitate reconsidering individual rights, including the right to life and protection against cruel and unusual punishment as outlined in the Constitution.
She expressed her responsibility to explore all possible options for the protection of vulnerable Fijians and noted that any proposal could be included in the upcoming public consultations on the review of the 2013 Constitution, pending Cabinet approval and necessary political support.
Highlighting the need for stronger measures to combat drug trafficking, Tabuya cited the success of smaller nations like Singapore in managing drug-related issues, arguing that Fiji’s status as a Pacific hub makes it susceptible to the drug trade.
In a contrasting view, Opposition MP Ketan Lal called for Tabuya’s resignation, criticizing her stance on the death penalty as a fundamental misinterpretation of effective crime prevention. He argued that her position undermines Fiji’s commitment to global human rights standards and the principles of the 2013 Constitution. Lal urged the Prime Minister to take swift action to remove her from office, stating that Fijians deserve a government aligned with human rights and social justice principles.