Abolition of death penalty cannot be achieved in one sitting: MOJ
~~~by Huang Yi-han and Sofia Wu
In Taiwan, progress has been made on the death penalty issue, the MOJ said, adding that it will continue working toward its ultimate goal of scrapping capital punishment.
Taipei, Dec. 23 (CNA): Abolishment of capital punishment cannot be achieved in one sitting and instead requires popular support and completion of legislation, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) said Sunday.
Responding to Amnesty International's criticism of Taiwan for its Dec. 21 execution of six death row inmates, the ministry said abolishing capital punishment is a goal that requires long-term efforts to realize.
The ministry cited the progress of the European Convention on Human Rights and experiences of some European countries in abolishing capital punishment to back its argument.
When the European convention took effect in 1953, it did not contain any provision requiring its signatories to abolish capital punishment, the MOJ said in a statement.
In 1983, all signatories were required to phase out capital punishment during peacetime and use such punishment only in wartime or on the brink of war, the statement aid.
The convention did not demand an all-out abolishment of capital punishment until July 1, 2003, nearly 50 years after the convention took effect, the MOJ added.
It also took several decades of efforts for the United Kingdom, Germany and France to attain the goal of phasing out capital punishment, the ministry said.
To date, it added, most countries around the world have not yet reached a consistent view or stance on capital punishment.
In Taiwan, progress has been made on the death penalty issue, the MOJ said, adding that it will continue working toward its ultimate goal of scrapping capital punishment.
"As it's a goal that require phased, multilayer and comprehensive efforts to accomplish, the ministry has not and cannot set a date for terminating or abolishing death penalty," the MOJ added.
Courtesy: Focus Taiwan News Channel
