TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A nominee for grand justice of the Judicial Yuan (司法院大法官) recommended on Thursday (Dec. 12) that Taiwan moves toward abolishing the death penalty. Nominee for Grand Justice of the Judicial Yuan Liu Yi-ching (劉靜怡) voiced regret over the Constitutional Court's ruling earlier this year that upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty for severe cases of intentional homicide.
Liu, a former chairperson of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights (台灣人權促進會) and current professor and director of the Graduate Institute of National Development at National Taiwan University (台灣大學國家發展研究所), made these statements during her confirmation hearing at the Legislative Yuan (立法院).
Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Legislator Lin Yi-chun (林憶君) questioned Liu on the death penalty issue. Liu responded that the government and legislative bodies should prioritize protecting victims and their families, stating that the state must protect, not perpetuate, the cycle of violence.
Liu further explained that while Taiwan has aimed to abolish the death penalty for years, the protection of victims' families has been inadequate. She noted that their participation in legal proceedings and receiving comfort have not been sufficiently addressed.
