Tonga proposes mandatory death penalty for illicit drugs traffickers
Friday, August 13, 2021 - 19:58
Tonga is considering a mandatory death sentence for offenders who traffic 5 kilograms or more of a Class A drug. An amendment bill tabled into Parliament yesterday also proposes the death sentence for offenders who repeatedly procure and use children in drug offences. The bill still has to go through the second and third readings before it can proceed further. From the House by PesiĀ Fonua.
Comments
What does HM TVI think about
What does HM TVI think about this? How many bills are there waiting for HMTVI to assent? Interesting that Tonga and PNG are the only Pacific Island countries that have not abolished the death penalty from their laws. I understand that the death penalty for drug addiction has not been successful in reducing drug smuggling, distribution and reducing the use of drugs. The opinions of experts in treating addicts might be sought by the media, from sources such as the WHO representative, Dr Mapa Puloka and many doctors of Tongan/Pacific descent who have been working in these areas in New Zealand/Aotearoa, the USA and Australia.