The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) has urged the Government of Fiji to enhance its policies, legal framework, and judicial processes instead of resorting to extreme measures like the death penalty. This statement comes in response to Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya’s proposal to impose the death penalty on individuals trafficking large amounts of drugs.
FHRADC chairman Pravesh Sharma emphasized that Fiji has made significant progress since abolishing the death penalty in 1979. He highlighted that Section 8 of the 2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji upholds the right to life, asserting that no one should be arbitrarily deprived of it.
Sharma pointed out that the death penalty constitutes a grave infringement on human rights, particularly the right to life and the protection from torture or any cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. He also referenced Section 11 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom from any form of torture or excessively harsh punishment.
The Commission believes that the death penalty is not an effective solution to the escalating drug problem. Instead, it advocates for the Government to conduct comprehensive research to understand the reasons behind drug use among the population and implement better strategies to tackle the issue. Sharma called for a focus on the rehabilitation of individuals struggling with addiction and for measures to prevent drugs from entering Fiji.