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Motion to release
Chen Shui-bian passed in Taichung
By Rich Chang / Staff reporter
The Greater Taichung Council on Friday passed a motion calling for the release
of former president Chen Shui-bian (³¯¤ô«ó) for medical treatment as soon as
possible.
Chen, who is serving a 17-and-a-half-year prison term for corruption, was
diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome in early March and granted temporary
release from Taipei Prison to receive treatment.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taichung City councilor Ho Ming-cheng (¦ó±Ó¸Û),
who initiated the motion, said its passing is a manifestation of the Greater
Taichung Council¡¦s strong democratic disposition and the importance it attaches
to human rights.
In most democratic nations when former heads of state are under investigation,
the judicial authorities usually implement house arrest or movement restriction
to make sure investigations go smoothly and leaders are either jailed only after
being found guilty in final verdicts, Ho said.
However, Chen was detained for several years during the prosecutorial
investigations, a move which was politically motivated and ran contrary to the
practice of democratic countries, Ho said.
Twenty-three DPP councilors, one Taiwan Solidarity Union councilor and two
independent councilors endorsed the motion. Because the council¡¦s Chinese
Nationalist Party (KMT) majority kept quiet during the action, the proposal was
able to be approved.
When reached for comment, KMT council caucus whip Huang Hsin-hui (¶ÀÄɼz) said the
pary had not even noticed the motion when reviewing council agenda, but added
that since it had been approved, ¡§[we might as well] let DPP colleagues have a
chance to perform.¡¨
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