The Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, has expressed support for the reintroduction of the death penalty for individuals convicted of trafficking significant amounts of illegal drugs into Fiji. His remarks were made during a visit to Koro Island on Tuesday.
The call for the death penalty was initially proposed by the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, as a strategy to combat the rising drug trade in the country. This suggestion has garnered both support and criticism from various quarters.
Mr. Turaga stated, “The Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, has called for the death penalty, and she has a point.” He emphasized the need to prevent Fiji from becoming a hub for drug activity, highlighting the dangers posed by new drugs like methamphetamine, which can keep users awake for days. He urged collective action against drug use, calling on the community and religious organizations to participate in the fight against this issue.
In contrast, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has publicly opposed the implementation of the death penalty for drug-related offenses.
On Koro Island, marijuana remains a significant concern, as noted by Tui Nasau, Vonevate Vetaukula, in an interview. He reported that the village has established a crime committee dedicated to preventing marijuana cultivation within the community.
“We have referred individuals to the police upon discovering their involvement, with some already jailed and others awaiting trial,” Mr. Vetaukula shared. He also mentioned that they actively monitor boats arriving on the island to prevent drug trafficking to Suva, conducting regular inspections of farms to ensure no marijuana is cultivated.
Mr. Vetaukula added that the primary sources of income for the village are yaqona, dalo (taro), cassava, and vudi (plantain). Minister Turaga warned the villagers against tolerating any form of illicit drugs, urging them to report suspicious activities to prevent drugs from becoming an entrenched issue in the community.