In January 2025, the execution of prisoner Huang Lynn-Kai ruled the debate for Taiwan’s death sentence, stating that the authorities acted in disregard of law.
The execution of the island in five years, the constitutional court of Taiwan came a month later, with an ambassador to the ruling, which was reducing the scope of capital sentence and required strict security measures for its application.
At that time, some Oberors thought that the ruling Taiwan was that the city of death sentence was “realizing” realizing “eradication”.
Supporters argue that the punishment of the death penalty provides ventilative justice, prevents crime and is supported by public opinion. Opponents said that the death sentence violates the right to life, risk execution in a wrong way and lacks perfect effects.
How is the death penalty implemented in Taiwan?
The September -2024 decision has stated that the death penalty is to be implemented only in the “most serious cases of murder”. Therefore, the paths open for appeals and rules that the appeal should be executed unanimously by the testing courts.
Huang Lynn-Kai was convicted for dual murder in 2013.
For the Death Penalty Project, a UK-Besen NGO, who provides legal aid to those on the death line, executed while an appeal was still pending.
The NGO stated that Huang was “briefly executed and illegally executed. He and his legal team were minimized ‘notices of its execution’.
The NGO wrote that it is “disregard of uncertainty” for the right of life and the fixed process of law, “NGO has written Press release,
Agreements for the Death Penalty Project are made by execution shooting in Taiwan, seduced the prisoners, kept the face down and shot from the heart.
A political statement for death sentence?
Justice Minister Cheng Ming-Chenhen defended the verdict, emphasizing Huang’s case, was currently one of the dozens of prisoners in the row of death, the prosecutor General was fully reviewed as per the decision of the Constitutional Court.
His crimes were considered the most serious, defense lawyers were present, verdicts were unanimous and all legal measures provoked bees.
Taiwan’s premiere Cho Jung-Tai said that the government worked with the relationship “was done within the constitutional limit.”
However, Catherine Appleton, who specializes in capital punishment due to a criminal justice, stated that he believed that there was a political inspiration in Huang’s execution.
He said, “You already have no execution. For me it is a political statement that we want to know: We are in favor of death sentence.”
This execution was the first under Taiwan President Lai Ching-Te, who took over in 2024.
Saul Leharfund, the co-executive director of the Death Penalty Project, told DW that the execution looked “so random and so political”.
“Why is there a rational thinking behind him and that execution?” He said.
Surveys continuously show that about 80% of Taiwanese oppose the abolition of death sentence.
However, the teaching lover said that the issue is more fine.
Based on his surveys in Taiwan, if asked: “Do you support the death penalty?” Most people will answer “yes”. But only 30% would only say “strong support”, they explained.
Taiwan is often praised for lively free speech for equal-lingo marriage for democratic progress. But experts have warned that its retention thesis of death penalty reduces progress.
“All other positives are looking for a big contrast with China,” said the teaching lover. “But on the death sentence, Taiwan looks the same.”
In a statement, the European Union organized the execution and called Taiwan to chase a consistent policy for the complete abolition of the death penalty. “
Researcher Epton said, “If Taiwan is at an intersection, it should be decided what it wants to happen to democracy. A true democracy cannot be punished for death,” the researcher said.
A complex result for families of victims
Groups of victims in Taiwan are one of the strongest supporters to maintain death penalty. A 2024 survey by the Association for Victims Support ended the family of more than 96% of homeized victims.
The teaching lover acknowledged his pain but insisted that the execution is not the answer.
He said, “Death sentence is not good. Death sentence was the thesis of two people.” He cited a new study from the US, which he called “co-veins”.
The study showed that several reactions said that he supported execution immediately after crimes, years later, “any of them” said he still did.
“He felt that the death sentence caused him even more damage,” said the teaching friend.
In Taiwan, 36 prisoners are in the line of death. The teaching friend said that the average span be Belonz’s sentence and execution is 13 years, and some have waited over 20. “Death punishment does not allow for any shutdown and healing ability.
What are the options for execution?
Criminology researcher Appleton argues for life imprisonment with parole for the most severe bandh.
Appleton warned that life without parole is simply “another death sentence.”
“People want in jail. It creates disappointment. That is why many prisoners in the US say they will be executed,” he said.
He pointed to Taiwan’s 2015 Kosung jail crisis, when six long -term prisoners took the hostage before killing theme. “Disappointing sentences create a dangerous situation,” he said.
Instead, she argues for life imprisonment with parole – not a guarantee of release, but periodic reviews that maintain human dignity.
Edited by: Wesley Rahan