Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, has stirred debate by supporting the death penalty for individuals convicted of drug trafficking. During a speech at her ministry’s headquarters, Tabuya highlighted Fiji’s position as a transit hub for illegal drugs, arguing that severe penalties are necessary to deter traffickers.
In her remarks, she emphasized Fiji’s vulnerability due to its nearness 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 laws, which impose the death penalty on those trafficking significant amounts of drugs, asserting that Fiji should consider similar actions. “We need to claim our borders, our sovereignty, and send a message to all drug traffickers and lords,” she added.
In contrast, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua rejected Tabuya’s proposition, advocating for a more humane and comprehensive strategy to tackle drug trafficking. He stressed the need for modernizing the Police force and fostering international cooperation, suggesting that such measures would lead to more sustainable solutions. “These strategies represent a holistic approach to addressing drug trafficking and related crimes through stronger institutions, better resources, and international collaboration,” Tikoduadua said, noting that the death penalty might overlook the underlying issues that fuel drug trafficking.
Human rights advocates also expressed their disapproval. Dr. Shaista Shameem, former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, criticized the death penalty as a cruel punishment that prevents rehabilitation opportunities. She recalled that Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason in 1979 with broad parliamentary consensus, noting that legislators and religious groups agreed it was not a solution to crime. “The death penalty was abolished after parliamentarians, including religious groups, agreed it was not the solution to any crime, even treason,” Dr. Shameem asserted, urging careful consideration of any calls for its reinstatement.
The Fiji Law Society added its perspective, highlighting that the death penalty is not enshrined in the Constitution and that any attempt to reintroduce it would face significant legal challenges. The death penalty was abolished in Fiji in 2015 for all offenses, and the 2013 Constitution explicitly prohibits 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 complicates efforts to reinstate the death penalty, as UNCAT prohibits such practices globally. Fiji’s dedication to these principles has been reinforced through improved training for its security forces.