The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has expressed its strong opposition to the proposal of restoring the death penalty to tackle drug trafficking, as suggested by Lynda Tabuya, Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection.
Chairperson Pravesh Sharma emphasized that the 2013 Constitution’s Section 8 affirms every individual’s right to life and prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life. He highlighted Fiji’s significant progress since abolishing the death penalty in 1979, which he described as a major human rights violation, particularly against the right to life and protection from torture or degrading treatment.
Sharma reiterated that reinstating the death penalty is not an effective response to escalating drug issues. Instead, he advocated for the government to conduct comprehensive research to understand the reasons behind drug use in the population and implement strategies to combat this crisis.
He stressed the importance of focusing on the rehabilitation of individuals struggling with addiction and preventing drugs from entering the country. Sharma called for enhanced border security, increased public awareness, and education on the harmful effects of drugs. He also noted that imposing severe prison sentences for drug offenders could serve as a deterrent.