Fiji is a sovereign nation that needs to assert itself with a strong stance against the illegal drug trade, both domestically and internationally. Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, made this assertion following remarks from Human Rights Commission chairman Pravesh Sharma, who opposed her suggestion of imposing the death penalty for significant drug trafficking offenses.
Tabuya acknowledged the arguments surrounding the death penalty as a human rights concern. However, she emphasized the need for a national discussion about finding a balance between protecting the public—particularly the youth and children, who constitute 70 percent of the population—and individual rights to life and protection from cruel and unusual punishment, as outlined in the Constitution.
She expressed her responsibility to explore all options available for safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable citizens in Fiji. Tabuya suggested that this proposal could be incorporated into public consultations regarding the review of the 2013 Constitution, contingent upon Cabinet approval, parliamentary support by a 75 percent majority, and a subsequent referendum with the same level of public backing.
Additionally, she noted that small nations like Singapore have successfully tackled drug trafficking to protect their borders and populations. Tabuya pointed out that Fiji, being a hub in the Pacific, is particularly susceptible to drug trafficking threats.
In contrast, Opposition MP Ketan Lal called on Tabuya to resign, arguing that her stance on the death penalty demonstrated a significant misunderstanding of effective crime prevention strategies and jeopardized Fiji’s alignment with global human rights standards. He described her position as untenable and criticized the Coalition Government for potentially endorsing extreme measures that conflict with both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 2013 Constitution, which she is sworn to uphold. Lal urged the Prime Minister to swiftly remove Tabuya from her position, advocating for a government that embodies human rights and social justice principles.