National Human Rights Commission flags shift in Taiwan’s death penalty stance

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission released its assessment of the government’s fourth National Report on the Two Covenants, which are the core UN human rights treaties that translate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into legally binding obligations.

According to the NHRC, the Ministry of Justice has shifted its stance. While it previously signaled a “gradual abolition” of the death penalty, it now commits only to “reducing death sentences” and “prudently carrying out executions,”.

At a press event for the assessment’s release, NHRC Vice Chair Ji Hui-rong (紀惠容) said the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are core international human rights instruments that give treaty force to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She urged the government to address structural problems and help international reviewers better understand Taiwan’s human rights situation, per the report.

NHRC Commissioner Gao Yong-cheng (高涌誠) said Taiwan still needs to complete domestic legislation to implement the Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol. Gao urged swift action that would include adding a dedicated torture chapter to the Criminal Code.

Gao also urged suspending executions until all procedural safeguards highlighted by the Constitutional Court are fully implemented. He noted that unclear laws and lagging alignment with international standards complicate Taiwan’s position as a country facing a real security threat.