The Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, has generated a debate by proposing the death penalty for drug traffickers in Fiji. During a statement made at her ministry’s headquarters, Tabuya emphasized that Fiji’s position as a transit country for illegal drugs necessitates stringent measures to deter traffickers.
Her suggestion has drawn criticism from various sectors. Tabuya highlighted Fiji’s vulnerability due to its geographical closeness to larger drug markets, asking, “What do we do to protect our borders and our people from these harmful drugs?” She referenced Singapore’s death penalty for large-scale trafficking as a model for Fiji to consider.
“We need to claim our borders, our sovereignty, and send a message to all drug traffickers and lords,” she asserted.
In response, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, argued for a more compassionate and comprehensive strategy against drug trafficking. He stressed the need to modernize the police force and enhance international collaboration, suggesting that these measures would lead to more sustainable outcomes in tackling drug-related crimes.
Tikoduadua pointed out that a death penalty could detract from addressing the root causes of drug trafficking. Human rights advocates also condemned the idea. Dr. Shaista Shameem, a former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, criticized the death penalty as cruel and detrimental to rehabilitation opportunities. She reminded that Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason in 1979, following broad support from parliament.
“The death penalty was abolished after parliamentarians, including religious groups, agreed it was not the solution to any crime, even treason,” she explained, urging sensitivity in discussions regarding its possible return.
The Fiji Law Society added that the death penalty is not currently part of the Constitution, making any effort to reinstate it legally challenging. In 2015, Fiji outlawed the death penalty for all crimes, with the 2013 Constitution explicitly prohibiting its application. Furthermore, Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 2015 complicates any attempts to reintroduce capital punishment, as the convention enforces a global ban on such practices.