The Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, has stirred debate by advocating for the death penalty for drug traffickers. Speaking at her ministry’s headquarters, she argued that Fiji, as a transit point for illegal drugs, should impose severe penalties to deter trafficking.
Her comments come in light of Fiji’s growing vulnerability due to its geographic proximity to major drug markets. “We’re a transit point for bigger developed countries. What do we do to protect our borders and our people from these harmful drugs?” she questioned. Drawing parallels to Singapore, which enforces the death penalty for significant drug trafficking, Tabuya emphasized the need for Fiji to adopt similar measures to safeguard its sovereignty.
However, Tabuya’s proposal has faced backlash from various sectors. The Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, challenged her viewpoint, advocating for a more humane and comprehensive approach to tackle drug trafficking. He highlighted the necessity of modernizing the Police force and enhancing international collaboration, arguing that these strategies could lead to more sustainable solutions. Tikoduadua cautioned that reinstating the death penalty might detract from addressing the underlying causes of drug trafficking.
Human rights advocates also opposed the death penalty. Dr. Shaista Shameem, former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, criticized the punishment as inhumane and counterproductive to rehabilitation efforts. She reminded that Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason in 1979, emphasizing that its reinstatement should be considered with care and compassion.
The Fiji Law Society weighed in on the discussion, noting that the death penalty is not acknowledged in the Constitution, and any attempt to reintroduce it would encounter significant legal obstacles. The death penalty was abolished for all offenses in Fiji in 2015, and the 2013 Constitution expressly forbids its use. Furthermore, Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in 2015 complicates any revival of the death penalty, as the convention enforces a universal ban on torture and similar practices. Fiji’s commitment to these principles has also been bolstered through improved training for security forces.