Taiwan's justice ministry resolute on capital punishment

Taiwan's Ministry of Justice said Thursday that it will continue carrying out capital punishment lawfully and with discretion in spite of Amnesty International (AI) renewing its call for the abolishment of the death penalty worldwide.

Taiwan executed 6 inmates convicted of violent crimes in April last year. Another 52 remain on death row, though there is reportedly no timetable for carrying out their sentences.

Deputy Minister of Justice Chen Ming-tang said their sentences will be carried out with prudence and under the country's existing laws once the ministry has made sure they have not petitioned for a constitutional interpretation or made an extraordinary appeal for retrial.

Defending Taiwan's treatment of death row inmates, he rejected comparisons with other countries because of "differences in laws and public sentiment" toward serious crimes.

He also said that families of the inmates are allowed to visit at any time -- though he did not directly address AI's criticism of a policy that informs families of an execution only after it has been carried out.

In its report on death sentences and executions in 2013, released Wednesday, London-based AI criticized Taiwan for the 6 executions last year and the passing of seven more death sentences despite the country's promise to take steps towards the elimination of the death penalty.

Chiara Sangiorgio, a campaigner against capital punishment, further accused Taiwan of carrying out its death penalty in a way that does not conform to international laws because of a lack of transparency, including keeping the date of execution from family members.

The government should inform inmates' families before the execution, she said, and notify lawyers as well as the public of the proceedings.

Source: Focus Taiwan, March 28, 2014

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