NGO Coalition against death penalty and urges Tabuya to look at better policies

The NGO Coalition on Human Rights is in support of the statement by the Fiji Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission on the death penalty not being the solution to Fiji’s rising drug problems.

The organisation believes the growing national conversation led by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya for the death penalty to be considered an option to Fiji’s drug problem is harmful, regressive and counter productive to the progressive development of human rights.

They believe these ideas and statements do not belong in an evolving democracy like Fiji.

Coalition Chair Shamima Ali says the death penalty is a violation of fundamental human rights - the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.

She says no one has the right to take away someone else’s life.

Ali says they are urging the Minister to offer a real alternative to austerity, poverty and alienation which means giving young people opportunities, building economic security and investing in their communities to create a fairer and safer society for all.

The Coalition is calling on the Minister to address root causes, look at the evidence and create better policies for people.

The Coalition Chair says there must be a concerted national approach to deal with this issue – all of Government and civil society.

Meanwhile, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya is standing by her comments that the death penalty should be considered for those people caught with large quantities of drugs.

Tabuya says the proposal can form part of the public consultations on the review of the 2013 Constitution if Cabinet agrees to include it, and parliament passes it by 75 percent majority, and then a referendum by 75 percent of the registered voters.

She confirms that she is considering to propose it as part of the review process of the 2013 constitution, as it is her opinion that the public interest to protect our children, our youth, our citizens and our borders outweighs the individual’s right to life and cruel and unusual punishment.