The Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, has ignited a debate by calling for the death penalty for drug traffickers. Addressing attendees at her ministry’s headquarters, she asserted that Fiji’s position as a transit hub for illegal drugs necessitates severe penalties to deter traffickers.
Despite her position, Tabuya’s comments have drawn criticism from various groups. She expressed concern that Fiji’s geographic proximity to larger drug markets makes the nation more susceptible to drug trafficking. “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.
Referencing Singapore’s strict policies that include the death penalty for significant drug trafficking offenses, Tabuya emphasized the necessity for Fiji to consider similar measures. “We need to claim our borders, our sovereignty, and send a message to all drug traffickers and lords,” she remarked.
In opposition to her proposal, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, advocated for a more humane and comprehensive strategy to combat drug trafficking. He highlighted the critical need to modernize the police force and foster international cooperation. Tikoduadua explained that a holistic approach addressing drug trafficking through improved institutions, enhanced resources, and collaboration is more likely to achieve sustainable outcomes. He warned that reinstating the death penalty could detract from efforts by failing to address the underlying causes of drug trafficking.
Human rights advocates have also expressed their disapproval. Dr. Shaista Shameem, a former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, criticized the death penalty as a cruel punishment that denies individuals the chance for rehabilitation. She reminded that Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason in 1979 with broad parliamentary consensus, stating, “The death penalty was abolished after parliamentarians, including religious groups, agreed it was not the solution to any crime, even treason.” Dr. Shameem insisted that any revival of such penalties should be approached with care and compassion.
The Fiji Law Society has also chimed in, noting that the death penalty is absent from the Constitution and that any effort to reintroduce it would face significant legal obstacles. The death penalty was prohibited for all offenses in Fiji in 2015, and the 2013 Constitution explicitly bans its application. Additionally, Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in 2015 further complicates the reintroduction of capital punishment, as it mandates the global prohibition of torture and similar practices. Fiji has reinforced its commitment to these principles through enhanced training for its security forces.