The Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, has ignited a debate by proposing the death penalty for drug traffickers. During a speech at her ministry’s headquarters, she highlighted Fiji’s position as a transit hub for illegal drugs, arguing that severe penalties are necessary to deter traffickers.
Despite her assertions, her viewpoint has been met with backlash from various sectors. Ms. Tabuya emphasized Fiji’s growing vulnerability due to its geographical closeness 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?”
Referencing Singapore’s strict death penalty laws for significant drug trafficking offenses, she called for Fiji to contemplate similar actions. “We need to claim our borders, our sovereignty, and send a message to all drug traffickers and lords,” she asserted.
In response, the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, advocated for a more humane and comprehensive strategy to tackle drug trafficking, suggesting that modernization of the police force and international cooperation are crucial. He argued for a holistic approach that tackles the root issues rather than resorting to capital punishment.
Moreover, human rights advocates have expressed their disapproval. Dr. Shaista Shameem, a former Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, denounced the death penalty as a barbaric and inhumane punishment that eliminates chances for rehabilitation. She pointed out that Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason in 1979, with unanimous support from parliamentarians and religious groups, highlighting that it was concluded as a non-solution for any crime.
The Fiji Law Society also weighed in on the matter, noting that the death penalty is not mentioned in the Constitution, meaning that efforts to reinstate it would encounter substantial legal challenges. The death penalty was banned for all crimes in Fiji in 2015, and the 2013 Constitution explicitly prohibits its implementation. Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in 2015 adds further complexity to any potential reintroduction, as it establishes a global ban on such punitive measures.