Taiwan's High Court Faces Pressure to Ensure Fair Trial for Death Row Inmate

Strategic Insights -

A death row inmate in Taiwan is set to face his 11th retrial in 21 years, sparking concerns about the fairness of his trial. Chiou Ho-shun was first tried in 1987 for the deaths of a nine-year-old boy and a middle-aged woman. Despite being detained for over two decades, the cases against him and his co-defendants have been plagued by flawed evidence and human rights abuses. Amnesty International is calling on the court to conduct the trial in accordance with international fair trial standards, including prohibiting confessions obtained through torture and refraining from imposing the death penalty.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chiou Ho-shun, a death row inmate in Taiwan, is set to face his 11th retrial in 21 years, highlighting concerns about the fairness of his trial.
  • The cases against Chiou Ho-shun and his co-defendants, Lin Kun-ming and Wu Shu-chen, have been plagued by flawed evidence, including confessions obtained through torture.
  • Since 1987, nine of the original 12 defendants have either died or completed their sentences, leaving Chiou Ho-shun and two others to face retrials.
  • Amnesty International is calling on the High Court to conduct the trial in accordance with international fair trial standards, including prohibiting confessions obtained through torture and refraining from imposing the death penalty.
  • An estimated 65 people were awaiting execution or appeals in Taiwan as of July 2009, with no executions carried out since December 2005.
  • Former President Chen Shui-bian publicly opposed the death penalty, but the current de facto moratorium has no legal basis.

Statistics:

  • 21 years: the length of time Chiou Ho-shun has been detained while the cases against him have been retried.
  • 11 retrials: the number of time Chiou Ho-shun has faced trial for his alleged crimes.
  • 65: the estimated number of people awaiting execution or appeals in Taiwan as of July 2009.
  • 2005: the year last execution was carried out in Taiwan.
  • 9 defendants: the number of defendants who have either died or completed their sentences since 1987.

Sources:

  • Amnesty International USA: Original release on Taiwan's High Court facing pressure to ensure fair trial for death row inmate.
  • Supreme Court: Latest verdict document on the case against Chiou Ho-shun and his co-defendants.