CALLS for the reintroduction of capital punishment and harsher criminal penalties have sparked fresh debates in Fiji, prompting Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to reaffirm the nation’s legal and constitutional limits on judicial sentencing.
The was raised by Sanaila Saukawa during public consultations on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 at Lawai village, Nadroga on Friday.
Mr Saukawa voiced strong concerns over rising incarceration rates, particularly among iTaukei and suggested introducing hanging as a penalty for severe offenses.
Mr Rabuka emphasised that any move towards capital punishment would face immense constitutional barriers.
“It is something that can come up and should go to the Attorney-General’s office (or) Solicitor-General’s office and if there is a requirement for a Bill to change those penalties, then the whole act that governs those offences that the people are worried about can be looked at, and what are the penalties available to the judges or magistrates,” he said.
In terms of the implementation of hanging as a punishment, Mr Rabuka said the Government was governed by the law and the various Acts and the limitations on the penalties that could be awarded.
“Some have been crying out for the capital punishment, but then we have the right to life as part of our Constitution and will have to be very extreme cases, and even then, it will be subject to review, and also the prerogative of mercy, and also the presidential power to pardon.”
Mr Rabuka clarified that while immediate penal adjustments fall outside the scope of consultation forums, legitimate concerns regarding crime could trigger formal legislative channels.
