TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said Wednesday that the party has yet to decide whether to support the KMT's proposed referendum to introduce whipping as a criminal punishment for certain offenses.
KMT Legislator Hung Mong-kai (洪孟楷) said whipping could serve as a deterrent for serious crimes, including child abuse, sexual assault and fraud, per China Times. Noting that corporal punishment does not exist under Taiwan's legal system, he said a referendum could provide a platform for public discussion on the issue.
TPP Legislator Chiu Hui-ju (邱慧洳) said Tuesday that both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment prohibit torture, per Tai Sounds. She argued that the principles of the two treaties are reflected in Taiwan's Criminal Code, which does not provide for corporal punishment.
Chiu also raised concerns about potential state compensation claims and healthcare costs associated with carrying out such a punishment.
Former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said Sunday that the KMT's proposal was misguided, per Z.Media. He argued that because public confidence in Taiwan's legal system is low, introducing whipping into the Criminal Code would not address the underlying problems.
Huang said the TPP's internal discussions are ongoing and involve lawmakers, city councilors, city council candidates and party supporters, per NOWNews. He also suggested that the KMT's proposal reflects public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of fraud, drug-impaired driving and child protection.
Responding to Chiu's concerns Tuesday, KMT Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) said any costs associated with carrying out whipping would be borne by offenders, per UDN. Hung also argued that deterring crime through whipping could reduce healthcare costs incurred by victims, per UDN.
After Hung proposed the idea, KMT Culture and Communications Committee Chair Chen I-hsin (陳以信) said Thursday that the party would not prioritize the proposal because it had yet to gain broad public support, per Liberty Times. The KMT later aligned itself with its legislative caucus and pledged to move forward with the proposal, per Liberty Times.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) voiced support for the proposal Monday, saying some particularly serious crimes warrant harsher punishments, per Storm Media.
Former KMT vice presidential candidate Jaw Shau-kong (趙少康) said the proposal was politically motivated and could help mobilize KMT supporters, per China Times. Although he said he had reservations about whipping as a punishment, he added that the proposal is a legitimate subject for public debate.
The proposal has also drawn criticism outside the legislature. Political commentator Huang Wei-han (黃暐瀚) argued that if the opposition wanted to add whipping to Taiwan's Criminal Code, it could do so through legislation rather than a referendum, per ETtoday.
