The Kuomintang group plans to introduce "caning into law". The Political Yuan: Violations of the two conventions need to be carefully considered

In response to the proposal by the Kuomintang group in the Legislative Yuan to "increase flogging into law", Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Huizhi stressed today (1) that flogging violates the two conventions and requires careful discussion and deliberation.

At the end of August, the Central Election Commission rejected the "referendum on legalizing caning" promoted by the blue camp, but the blue camp did not give up. Kuomintang League Secretary-General Xu Yuzhen and legislator Hong Mengkai announced yesterday that a "draft to amend some provisions of the criminal law" will be proposed in the new session. For crimes such as major sexual violence, drug driving, child abuse resulting in death and serious injury, and major aggravated fraud, "forced caning" will be added as an accessory punishment in the criminal law, with a maximum penalty of 12 lashes for several crimes. In this regard, Executive Yuan spokesperson Lee Huizhi emphasized today (1) that caning violates the two conventions and requires careful discussion and deliberation. Li Zonghan, chief prosecutor of the Prosecution Department of the Ministry of Justice, said that for major crimes, the Ministry of Justice has comprehensively increased the density of punishments.

Li Huizhi pointed out that Executive President Toh Wing-tai pointed out during the inquiry that there are still many opposing opinions and discussions on human rights in the society regarding the relevant bills. When discussing the referendum on caning before the election, the Central Election Commission cited Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, emphasizing that "no one shall be subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." It also explained that caning is a physical punishment that directly inflicts physical pain on the victim by public power. Most countries consider it a cruel, inhumane and infringing punishment on human dignity, which violates the enforcement laws of the two conventions. The Political Yuan believes that careful discussion and deliberation are still needed.

Li Zonghan, chief prosecutor of the Prosecution Department of the Ministry of Justice, said that for major crimes, the Ministry of Justice has comprehensively increased the density of punishments. Regarding child abuse resulting in death and major fraud, the Legislative Yuan has previously amended and passed relevant provisions of the Criminal Law and the Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Fraud Crimes, and also increased the penalties in an all-round way.

Li Zonghan pointed out that the draft stipulates that parole is not allowed for special major crimes such as killing and attempted killing of police officers, child abuse resulting in death or serious injury, and drug driving and drunk driving recidivism within five years. In addition, draft amendments to the criminal law regarding increased criminal liability for drug-impaired driving and vehicle confiscation have been submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review.