Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, has stirred debate by advocating for the death penalty for drug traffickers in Fiji. Speaking at her ministry’s headquarters, Ms. Tabuya emphasized that Fiji’s position as a transit point for illegal drugs necessitates severe penalties to deter trafficking.
Critics have swiftly responded to her proposal. Ms. Tabuya highlighted 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?” She referenced Singapore’s strict laws on drug trafficking and suggested that Fiji should adopt similar measures to safeguard its sovereignty and send a clear message to traffickers.
In contrast, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, advocated for a more humane approach to tackling drug trafficking. He called for the modernization of the police force and enhanced international cooperation, arguing that these strategies would provide a more sustainable solution to the issue. Tikoduadua asserted that the death penalty may detract from addressing the root causes of drug trafficking.
Human rights organizations have also expressed their disapproval of the death penalty. Dr. Shaista Shameem, former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, labeled it a cruel punishment that undermines opportunities for rehabilitation. She recalled that Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason in 1979, with widespread support from parliament, asserting that its reinstatement should be handled with compassion.
The Fiji Law Society has joined the discourse, noting that the death penalty is not mentioned in the Constitution and that any attempt to reinstate it would face significant legal challenges. Following its prohibition in 2015, the death penalty was outlawed for all crimes, and the 2013 Constitution bars its reinstatement. Furthermore, Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment complicates any potential reintroduction of capital punishment, as it mandates a global ban on such practices and emphasizes Fiji’s commitment to humane treatment through ongoing training for its security forces.