Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya is stirring debate with her proposal for the death penalty for drug traffickers. Speaking at her ministry’s headquarters, she highlighted that Fiji’s strategic position as a transit hub for illegal drugs necessitates severe penalties to deter trafficking.
Tabuya expressed concerns about Fiji’s vulnerability due to its geographical proximity to larger drug markets, stating, “We’re a transit point for bigger developed countries. What do we do to protect our borders and our people from these harmful drugs?”
Using Singapore as a reference, where the death penalty applies for significant drug trafficking offenses, she asserted that Fiji should explore similar approaches to protect its sovereignty and send a clear message to traffickers.
In contrast, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua advocated for a more compassionate and comprehensive strategy to tackle drug trafficking. He stressed the need to modernize the police force and foster international cooperation, suggesting these measures would lead to more sustainable results than a punitive approach.
Tikoduadua pointed out that the death penalty could detract from addressing the underlying causes of drug trafficking, emphasizing a holistic strategy involving stronger institutions and resources.
Human rights advocates have also rejected Tabuya’s proposal. Dr. Shaista Shameem, former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, criticized the death penalty as a cruel punishment that denies individuals the chance for rehabilitation. She recalled that Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason in 1979, with parliamentary support across the board, asserting that it was not a solution to crime.
The Fiji Law Society chimed in, noting that the death penalty is not supported by the Constitution and any attempt to reinstate it would encounter substantial legal challenges. The death penalty was entirely banned in Fiji in 2015, and the 2013 Constitution prohibits its application.
Moreover, Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) complicates efforts to reintroduce the death penalty, as the convention calls for a worldwide prohibition on such practices. This commitment has been reinforced through improved training for security forces in Fiji.