Fiji may place its domestic laws above international agreements if a proposed bill to allow corporal punishment in schools is passed. Justice Minister Siromi Turaga stated that the government could navigate around treaties that protect children’s rights, asserting that national priorities will take precedence.
He emphasized the belief that Fiji should act based on its specific circumstances, which he described as unique. “If this is the solution to the problem that we face, then our domestic situation takes precedence over our international obligation, and that’s a tough choice to make,” Turaga said. He also referenced examples of major nations that have shifted their focus from international commitments to domestic priorities.
The proposed bill is set to be debated in Parliament, with Turaga indicating that decisions should reflect Fiji’s needs rather than external pressures. However, the Commonwealth Secretariat stated that children’s rights remain fundamental to its principles. Dr. Elizabeth Macharia, the Acting Head of the Rule of Law Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat, affirmed that these rights need to be upheld, regardless of any changes in domestic policy.
Public consultations regarding the bill revealed overwhelming support for the reinstatement of corporal punishment in schools, with over 90 percent of submissions in favor of it in some form. This suggests a significant portion of the population believes that such measures could address prevailing issues in the educational environment, highlighting the ongoing debate between aligning with international norms and addressing local concerns.