Fiji’s struggles with drug addiction could lead the nation into despair if not addressed promptly. Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya emphasized the urgent need for a strong response, advocating for the death penalty for major drug traffickers despite facing opposition from critics and human rights advocates.
Tabuya highlighted the country’s growing issue with illicit drug use and insisted on sending a powerful message to drug cartels and traffickers operating from outside Fiji. She stated, “You are not welcome, you cannot profit at the expense of our people,” affirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding its borders and protecting vulnerable populations, especially children.
She pointed out that the death penalty is not an unfamiliar concept, existing in countries like Singapore, China, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Additionally, she noted that 27 out of 51 states in the United States still enforce the death penalty for murder, despite the nation’s image as a defender of human rights.
Tabuya indicated that her proposal as the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection is a call to action, underlining the gravity of the drug crisis and the necessity for deterrence. With the ongoing review of the 2013 Constitution, she reminded everyone that the death penalty was part of Fiji’s laws until its abolition in 1979 and was only removed from the criminal code in 2015.
She stressed the importance of deterrence in combating drug-related issues, arguing that a comprehensive approach encompassing supply, demand, and harm reduction requires the consideration of all possible legal measures to effectively address the problem.