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KMT doesn¡¦t
respect judiciary
An independent judiciary is a key foundation of democracy. So is the principle
of being innocent until proven guilty.
However, the response to the not guilty verdict in the case of former president
Chen Shui-bian (³¯¤ô«ó) handed down by Taipei District Court on Nov. 5 shows there
is still a lack of respect for these important principles in Taiwan.
The suggestion by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) politicians that voters show
their discontent with the court¡¦s verdict by voting for the KMT in upcoming
elections shows contempt for judicial independence (¡§KMT urges voters to show
discontent with Chen ruling,¡¨ Nov. 7, page 1).
Do these politicians believe that an electoral mandate for the KMT will result
in Chen being found guilty in a subsequent trial?
Prosecutors also show a similar attitude. Special Investigation Panel spokesman
Chen Hung-ta (³¯§»¹F) is quoted as saying the ¡§verdict is against the public¡¦s
concept of the law¡¨ (¡§Chen found not guilty in bribery trial,¡¨ Nov. 6, page 1).
There is no place for a court to function on the basis of public opinion.
Decisions made by judges must be in accordance with the law and based on
evidence. Furthermore, they must respect the principle of innocent until proven
guilty.
The court¡¦s verdict in Chen¡¦s case shows that it made its decision according to
these important principles.
The cases involving Chen have already exposed many problems with judicial
rights. Judicial reform is very important for Taiwan to further strengthen its
democracy and improve human rights.
It is difficult for judicial reform to succeed if politicians and prosecutors
expect courts to act on the basis of public opinion rather than the principle of
judicial independence.
David Reid
Taichung
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