The Chair of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (HRADC), Pravesh Sharma, has emphasized the need for enhancing policies, legislation, and judicial systems in Fiji to address drug trafficking, as opposed to resorting to extreme measures like the death penalty. This statement comes in response to comments made by Lynda Tabuya, the Minister of Women, Children, and Social Protection, who advocated for the death penalty for drug traffickers.
Sharma pointed out that the 2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji guarantees the right to life, stating that individuals must not be arbitrarily deprived of this right. He noted that Fiji abolished the death penalty in 1979, recognizing it as a significant human rights violation, particularly regarding the right to life and protection from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment.
He highlighted that the constitution further affirms the right to freedom from any form of torture or excessively severe treatment. The Commission believes that implementing the death penalty will not effectively resolve the growing drug issue. Instead, Sharma proposed that the government should conduct research to understand the underlying reasons for drug use and develop stronger measures to tackle the issue.
The focus, according to Sharma, should be on rehabilitating individuals struggling with addiction and preventing drug entry into Fiji. He stressed the importance of improving border security, raising public awareness, and educating citizens on the adverse effects of drugs. Furthermore, he suggested that imposing harsh prison sentences on convicted drug offenders can serve as a deterrent.