A call has been made to introduce the death penalty for traffickers smuggling illicit drugs into Fiji’s borders.
The discussion over the harsh penalty imposed in countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia was brought up during the Fiji Law Society Convention in Nadi this week, where legal experts discussed the cross-border impact of drugs in the Pacific.
Suva lawyer Tanya Waqanika said politicians should look at introducing the death penalty as a deterrent for drug dealers.
“This is for the politicians,” said Ms Waqanika.
“This is something that we really need to look at.
“We need to look at our institutions. The institutions that we rely on are compromised.
“We need to impose something harsher than life imprisonment.”
She said these drugs had penetrated Fiji’s communities.
“If these drug dealers are willing to come in to destroy our nation, I am all for the death penalty and that is something that I request the politicians to look at.”
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions deputy director John Rabuku said Fiji’s penalties were high, but it did not have an impact on drug traffickers.
“The sentences that we have right now, they are quite high,” said Mr Rabuku.
“If you look at the (Australian) Joseph Abourizk who came out three years ago, the tariff was sitting at 20 years but then a year after that they go and ship in 4.15 tonnes (of drugs).
“So the sentencing tariffs really does not have an impact on the people bringing in drugs because there is so much money in drugs that when a Justin Ho goes into jail today, there are five more Justin Ho already lined up to replace him.
“So if we are talking about the death penalty which is a whole conversation altogether because we have human rights implications to think about.
“I don’t even think it will achieve any purpose. I think that we need to be rethinking this again and maybe pump money into safeguarding our borders so that the drugs just don’t come in at all.”
Justice Minister Siromi Turaga said discussions over the death penalty had reached government.
“The issue of the (death penalty) has been discussed in Cabinet,” he said.
“Currently, the maximum sentence was 20 years, and the 4.15 tonnes case was the first time when the life imprisonment was imposed.
“A lot of education is required and of course resources, and I am noting the views being expressed and I will be conveying your concerns to the relevant ministers.”
