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.
Tabuya says small countries like Singapore are dealing with it successfully to protect its borders and people as a hub to South East Asia.
The Minister says Fiji is a hub of the Pacific and vulnerable to drug trafficking.
Tabuya says Fiji needs to protect itself from the drug cartel and drug traffickers who are making money illegally and profiting at the expense of the health, safety and wellbeing of our people especially our children and youth.
She says Fiji is a sovereign state and needs to stand up and make a bold statement as a deterrence to the illicit drug trade whether outside or within our borders.
Tabuya adds she understands the argument against the death penalty as a human rights issue made by the Human Rights Commission Chair as well as other human rights organisations, but this issue calls for a national debate on the balance between the public interest to protect our people especially our youth and children who make up 70 percent of our population versus an individual’s right to life and right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment as guaranteed in the Constitution, which are not absolute rights.
She maintains that it is her duty to highlight all options available so it is the call of herself as the line minister tasked with the welfare and protection of our children and vulnerable Fijians.
