TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The National Human Rights Commission (國家人權委員會) raised concerns on Friday (Jan. 16) about a proposed amendment to Taiwan's Criminal Code (刑法). The amendment was approved by the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, on Oct. 30, 2025. It sought to deny parole for those sentenced to life or over 10 years for grave crimes like intentional homicide and child abuse resulting in death.
The commission argued that permanently excluding individualized review could overstep constitutional and international human rights standards. It acknowledged that the amendment's intent was to address public concerns about social safety, but warned against using legislation to remove the possibility of individualized review. The commission emphasized that international human rights standards require a review mechanism based on due process, professionalism, and individualized assessment.
Critics noted the amendment's improper citation of the U.K. system, highlighting that the U.K. employs a "life imprisonment order" with a minimum term before parole review. The proposed amendment lacked such mechanisms, leading to a disparity with the U.K.'s legal spirit. The commission suggested that Taiwan should reference international human rights conventions and other countries' legal experiences to design a more tiered and proportionate penal system.
