Acting Attorney General, Siromi Turaga clarifies that the highest penalty under Fiji’s laws is the maximum sentence and not the death penalty, as incorrectly reported in today's issue of The Fiji Times article titled “Turaga Raises Death Penalty Topic.”
In a statement today Turaga said during an interview with the media yesterday, he explained that while there have been occasional suggestions from members of the community to introduce the death penalty, this has never been part of the Coalition Government’s policy or initiative.
Turaga made references to the fact that some countries, such as Singapore, still have the death penalty in place, however, no government position has been made on this in Fiji.
He said the Government remains mindful of its international human rights obligations, including the recognition that the death penalty is inconsistent with fundamental human rights principles, particularly the right to life and the right to be free from cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Fiji has abolished the death penalty and continues to uphold these commitments.
The Acting Attorney General reiterates that references made to “death penalty” are misleading, incorrect and taken out of context.
He says the appropriate terminology, as stated by him, is “maximum sentence”.
They request the media to be mindful in their reporting and to always seek clarification if there is any uncertainty, so that the public is accurately informed on matters of national importance.
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