Death penalty is not the solution to rising drugs problems – Human Rights Comm

The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission strongly advocates for strengthening policies, laws, and judicial processes in Fiji rather than adopting extreme measures such as the death penalty, as suggested by the Minister of Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, to combat drug trafficking.

Commission Chair, Pravesh Sharma says the Commission is of the view that the death penalty is not the solution to the rising drugs problems.

He says the Government should conduct baseline research to determine why our people are engaging in drugs, and then put in place measures to better address the issue.

Sharma adds we must work towards rehabilitation of addicted people; and prevent drugs from entering Fiji.

He says we also need to strengthen our border security, raise awareness, and educate our people about the impacts of drugs.

The Commission Chair says Section 8 of the 2013 Constitution states that every person has the right to life, and a person must not be arbitrarily deprived of life.

Sharma says Fiji has come a long way in abolishing the death penalty in 1979 because it is a serious violation of human rights, in particular the right to life and the right to live free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

He says Section 11 of the 2013 Constitution states that every person has the right to freedom from torture of any kind or disproportionate severe treatment or punishment.

Sharma also says severe terms of imprisonment for convicted drug offenders will continue to have a deterrent effect.