Fiji, as a sovereign nation, must make a strong statement against the illicit drug trade both domestically and internationally. Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, expressed this sentiment in response to remarks by Human Rights Commission chairman Pravesh Sharma, who opposed her proposal for the death penalty for those involved in large-scale drug trafficking.
Tabuya acknowledged the human rights concerns surrounding the death penalty. However, she emphasized the need for a national conversation on balancing public safety—especially for the youth and children who comprise 70% of the population—with individual rights. She stated that her role involves exploring all possible options for safeguarding vulnerable groups in Fiji.
She mentioned that the proposal could be included in consultations regarding the review of the 2013 Constitution, pending Cabinet support, a parliamentary majority, and a public referendum. Tabuya believes that protecting the children, youth, and overall populace of Fiji is more critical than individual rights to life in this context.
She pointed to successful measures undertaken by smaller nations like Singapore to combat drug trafficking, asserting that Fiji, as a Pacific hub, is particularly susceptible to these issues. “Fiji needs to safeguard itself from drug cartels and traffickers who profit illegally at the expense of our people’s health and safety,” she stated.
In contrast, Opposition MP Ketan Lal called for Tabuya’s resignation, arguing that her stance on the death penalty signals a fundamental misunderstanding of effective crime prevention and conflicts with global human rights standards. He urged Prime Minister to take decisive action, saying that the citizens of Fiji deserve a government that upholds human rights and social justice principles.