The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has expressed strong opposition to the reintroduction of the death penalty, which was proposed by the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, as a means to address drug trafficking.
Commission Chair Pravesh Sharma highlighted that the 2013 Constitution guarantees the right to life and prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life. He emphasized that Fiji abolished the death penalty in 1979, recognizing it as a violation of human rights, particularly the right to life and freedom from inhumane treatment.
Sharma argued that the death penalty is not a viable solution to the escalating drug problem in the country. Instead, he suggested that the government should conduct research to understand the reasons behind drug use among the population and implement effective measures to tackle the issue. He advocated for the rehabilitation of individuals struggling with addiction and stressed the importance of preventing drugs from entering Fiji.
Additionally, he called for enhanced border security, greater public awareness, and education regarding the effects of drugs. Sharma believes that although the legal system can impose severe sentences on convicted drug offenders, these measures would serve as a sufficient deterrent.