Fri Sep 20 08:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Taiwan’s Constitutional Court Upholds Death Penalty but Limits Its Use
**Taipei, Taiwan** – Taiwan’s Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of maintaining the death penalty, but with significant limitations, striking a delicate balance between public opinion and international norms. The court affirmed the constitutionality of capital punishment, but decreed its use solely for the most serious crimes, emphasizing the need for enhanced safeguards.
The decision followed a legal challenge from death row inmates who argued the penalty violates Taiwan’s constitution. While upholding the death penalty, the ruling reflects a compromise between domestic support for harsh punishments and international pressure for abolition.
Taiwan, while not a member of the United Nations, voluntarily complies with international human rights norms. In 2009, the country ratified the UN’s two covenants on human rights, one of which advocates for the abolition of the death penalty.
Despite the court’s ruling, executions have become increasingly rare in Taiwan. There have only been two executions since the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power in 2016, and none since April 2020.
Public opinion remains divided on the issue. A recent poll found nearly 85% of Taiwanese support the death penalty, with the opposition Kuomintang strongly in favor. The ruling DPP has been more cautious, calling for a careful approach and facing criticism for not taking a clearer stance.
The Constitutional Court has played a significant role in shaping Taiwan’s legal landscape in recent years. In 2017, a court ruling led to Taiwan becoming the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
Globally, more than 70% of countries have abolished capital punishment either in law or practice. While some Asian countries, including South Korea and Sri Lanka, have not executed anyone in over a decade, others, including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, North Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, still retain the death penalty for ordinary citizens.
Iran, according to Amnesty International, carried out the most executions globally last year, with over 850 people put to death. Bangladesh and Singapore each executed five individuals, while data from North Korea remains unavailable.
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