Speaker's debate: “Is the death penalty a deterrent for drugs offences?”

Capital punishment as a deterrent for illicit drugs offences, was rejected 38 to 8 by debaters who were invited by the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, to participate in the first public debate held in the Parliament House in Nuku'alofa yesterday, 28 May. Those who argued for the right to life, said there was not any evidence to show that the death penalty was a deterrent and there were other solutions aside from executions.