Taiwan's reinstated death penalty dogged by new controversy

Taiwan reinstated its death penalty last year, but an erroneous execution has reinvigorated the surrounding debate. Still, the country's population remains largely in favor of that form of punishment.

The island's stance is in line with that of many of its neighbors. China, Japan, North Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam all carried out executions last year, according to human rights watchdog Amnesty International.

Innocent executed

But this year, the government admitted an innocent man was executed, reinvigorating the debate about the death penalty.

Chiang Kuo-ching, a soldier, was put to death for raping and murdering a young girl. However, he always contended he was forced to confess during a brutal interrogation by authorities. The government's admission of its mistake included President Ma Ying-jeou on national television bowing three times before Chiang's image, and apologizing to the dead man's mother.

Despite the fatal blunder, the Taiwanese government says it's just following the wishes of its constituents. According to Justice Minister Tseng Yung-Fu, severe punishment serves a purpose.

"There's a belief in the concept of karma, that what goes around comes around," he said. "The reality is, unless those who commit serious, irrational crimes are severely punished, people won't feel at ease."

But Lin Hsin-yi, executive director of the Taiwan Association to End the Death Penalty, rejects the idea that traditional beliefs are an obstacle to abolishing capital punishment.

"Every country has a history of using draconian laws, including the death penalty," she told Deutsche Welle. "But over time we've realized that it doesn't stop people from committing crime, and it doesn't benefit society. I know that there are lots of problems we need to solve in the process. But, in the meantime, we call on the government to stop carrying out executions."

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Source: Deutsche Welle, July 19, 2011

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