Two Opposition Members of Parliament, Ketan Lal and Virendra Lal have opposed the statement made by the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya that the Government should impose the death penalty for drug traffickers who traffic drugs in large quantities.
Ketan Lal says Fiji's Constitution, particularly Articles (8) and (11), enshrines the right to life and the protection against cruel and degrading treatment.
He stresses that reintroducing the death penalty would not only violate these fundamental rights but also erode the very fabric of the justice system, which is grounded in the protection of human dignity and the rule of law.
He says any move to reinstate such a draconian measure would be a regressive step, undermining Fiji’s international standing and moral authority.
Tabuya says the death penalty will be a deterrence for the drug lords not to bring drugs into the country.
Virendra Lal says that even though these people are part of the social decay that is plaguing our nation, the reactionary comment by Tabuya begs the question, why only drug traffickers.
He says he is firmly against the recent call by Tabuya to reintroduce the penalty.
Lal also emphasized there are far darker and deeper issues that need rectifying and ensure that proper social protection is given to women and children.
