Drug offenders should not receive bail, CRC told

A Sabeto resident has proposed a constitutional provision to prevent people accused of drug offences from being granted bail, saying stronger legal safeguards are needed to address Fiji’s growing drug problem.

Speaking before the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) in Sabeto, Nadi, on Friday, Ranjit Singh urged commissioners to consider including the measure in any future amendments to the 2013 Constitution.

“Bail shouldn’t be given to drugs offenders until proven not guilty,” Mr Singh said.

He said the country’s laws needed to take a tougher stance on drug-related crimes, arguing that those accused of drug offences should remain in custody until their cases are concluded and sentencing is delivered.

Mr Singh said drugs were causing serious harm in communities, affecting families, fuelling criminal activity and placing young people at risk.

Another Sabeto resident, Shalendra Kumar, said allowing people accused of drug offences to return to the community on bail could weaken efforts to combat the spread of illicit drugs and undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Mr Kumar said the issue was no longer confined to a few areas, with the effects of drugs being felt in villages, settlements and urban communities across the country.

He argued that stronger constitutional protections would help support law enforcement agencies and provide greater protection for law-abiding citizens.

“Drugs are destroying lives and families. The law should be strong enough to reflect the seriousness of these offences,” he told the commission.

The CRC continues its consultation programme in Lautoka, Ba and Ra next week, gathering public recommendations on the future direction of the nation’s supreme law.