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Updated Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:48 am TWN, The China Post news staff Singer slams abolishing death penaltyMinister Wang announced the government policy at a meeting with reporters yesterday. In an interview with local media, popular singer and entertainer, Bai Bing-bing said she will commit suicide if the majority back the policy during a national referendum. Bai, who is currently taking law courses at the National Open University, even said she is willing to take up the job of executing convicted offenders sentenced to death. She acknowledged that she was disappointed with some lawmakers' push for revising existing regulations to scrap capital punishment in Taiwan. Bai said she has not ruled out the possibility of organizing a political “party of justice” to withstand the movement of abolishing capital punishment. The singer is still grieving for her daughter who was kidnapped and murdered by outlaw Chen Ching-hsing, who also murdered other victims and held the family of a military attache from South Africa hostage in 1997. Reflecting the views of many people in Taiwan, Bai said she is unwilling to continue paying tax to “feed the animals.” Minister Wang said she can understand the feelings of families affected by violent crimes. However, the Minister said that the policy of gradually phasing out capital punishment was already set by the MOJ before she assumed her current position. Respecting the right for life and discarding the death penalty have become an international trend, Wang said. Around the world, 132 nations have abolished the death penalty, whilst two-thirds of the countries and areas, including Hong Kong and South Korea,which still have the death penalty have not performed executions for many years. Furthermore, among the 58 nations that maintain the death penalty, only 25 are still executing convicted prisoners. The minister stressed that in Taiwan, public opinion on the matter remains divided. MOJ data show that no prisoners have been executed in Taiwan since 2006, although 44 prisoners remain on death row for crimes including fatal arson attacks, abduction and murder, murdering police officers, and rape murders. The chance of these convicted criminals being executed is now slim. Wang said that according to international data and research, there is no direct relationship between the scrapping of the death penalty and public security. She denied media reports that the MOJ has set a date to totally abrogate capital punishment. But to allay public opposition to abolishing capital punishment, Wang said the MOJ will continue cracking down on criminals and improving prison administration to edify and rehabilitate the convicts so that law-abiding people will feel secure, she said. These measures should help “shorten the transition period toward abolishing” capital punishment, Wang said. However, most people in Taiwan still claim to feel threatened by the nullification of the death penalty. A public opinion survey conducted recently by the National Chung Cheng University indicated that 74 percent of Taiwanese people are against the abolition of capital punishment and over half of them think death-row inmates should be executed. Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here Comments February 2, 2010 tsu4ever@ Reply Those murderers and killers MUST be executed by hanging in public just like I saw it myself in Saudi Arabia. RESPECT, PAY BACK WHAT YOU TAKE. February 2, 2010 jeremiah_john@ Abolish the law??? How about abolish those scumbags, SOB killers. February 2, 2010 liangwai@ A fatal criminal's heart is dead, what's different between heart dead and body dead? February 2, 2010 jonathan_mann@ Why pay tax and feed those madaf_kers? February 2, 2010 my447gf@ WEEP OUT THOSE MONSTROUS!!! February 2, 2010 dc_the best.rock@ Termination is the best and only way because 10 out of 10 will KILL again when paroled. February 2, 2010 lelly@ Killing people serves neither justice not safety. It's simply revenge, which does nothing but further hurt the victims of crime. State-sanctioned murder is wrong and I'm pleased our government is joining the rest of the world in this. Who wants to be a backward nation like China or Iran? February 2, 2010 templemj@ When celebrities are personally affected by a negative aspect of the world, they often become champions against it, raising both money and awareness for their cause. Lance Armstrong’s campaign for cancer research or Michael J. Fox's work on Parkinson's Disease are two well-known examples. Such celebrity usually provides great support for the cause. The same cannot be said, however, of Taiwanese singer and television personality, Bai Bing-Bing. Her advocacy of the retention of the death penalty is a result of her own daughter's brutal murder in 1997. While this crime against her family is horrible to say the least, and while she does have my sympathy, her ability to look at the issue of capital punishment objectively and give sufficient reasons for her position is now impossible because of the crime. Instead, she uses heated rhetoric with little factual support for her position. Not only does she argue for capital punishment inadequately, but her impassioned statements detract from the legitimacy of her position.The Minister of Justice, Wang Ching-feng, is working to advance with the rest of the world in abolishing the death penalty, which is still legal though rarely used in Taiwan. Ms. Bai spoke out against the plan, saying she doesn't want to pay taxes to “feed the animals.” This is a common argument, but one with little support behind it. For one, appeal systems preceding an execution are often more expensive than a lifetime of basic prison support. While I haven't found such statistics for Taiwan, the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice found that “The additional cost of confining an inmate to death row, as compared to the maximum security prisons where those sentenced to life without possibility of parole ordinarily serve their sentences, is $90,000[US] per year per inmate.” While Taiwan may be able to perform executions more efficiently, I can't see there being more than a $90 000 dollar difference between the systems. Further, prison-work systems could offset or even bring life-sentence costs into the negative. Indeed, Ms. Bai could even see her taxes reduced due to the free labor of such convicts. February 2, 2010 templemj@ (part 2)Bai-Bing Bing also stated that if a national referendum were to find that the majority of Taiwanese in fact opposed capital punishment, she would take her own life. This statement is baffling, to say the least. My opposition to the death penalty is based on the following: when a state participates in execution, it loses the moral authority to tell its citizens that murder is wrong. The commission of a crime by the person being executed is irrelevant. Execution is still murder. If the state, which is meant to be a collection of the people, murders, then logic dictates that the people should be free to do so, too. This is clearly an undesirable end. That Ms. Bai would take her own life if she couldn't see criminals die severely detracts from her position, as it makes it seem not like one of reasoned opinion, but of mere bloodlust: if not the criminals' blood, then hers. The fact is that the horrible crimes against Ms. Bing have rendered her unable to look at the death penalty case objectively, something she will hopefully learn to do during her education in law at National Open University. The one whose job it is to look at such things, that is, Minister Wang, does so effectively, noting that abolition is an international trend. She also notes that even the two main political parties in Taiwan, which rarely see eye to eye, agree on this matter: it's time to modernize. Finally, she credits international data and research, not personal feelings, when she notes that there is no correlation between abolishing capital punishment and public security. Ms. Bing does, however, have one more shot – if she ascends to politics herself, as she has hinted at forming a “party of justice,” bent on retention of the death penalty. I, for one, hope the Taiwanese people do not follow the lead of their American counterparts, both in retaining capital punishment, and electing celebrities. February 2, 2010 elumpen@ Well, it's lucky people like TSU (who perhaps might like to go live in Saudi Arabia for a while to see just how wonderful it is) aren't running the country. Taiwan is supposed to be a civilised nation, and the only thing worse than letting murderers live is allowing the government to kill people. TSU, someone - some person - has to pull the trigger or drop the hatch, in cold blood, just because some government bureaucrat tells them to. Would you REALLY be willing to do that? I hope not. It's one thing to say a murder deserves to die (no doubt they do) but it's not up to us mere mortals to make it happen. February 3, 2010 the_alliance47@ The major stain on Taiwan's human rights record is its continued support for legal homicide, more commonly known as the death penalty. State-sponsored homicide is an outdated practice that must be abolished if a country is to consider itself modern. The United States would save so much money every year if instead of executing prisoners, kept them in prison for life without parole. We cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing. February 3, 2010 frosted_xxx@ I am wondering why many Taiwanese will always threaten to kill themselves when they want to get thing their way. "If I don't get it my way... I’m going suicidal!!" wtf!Life is more precious than those trivial things. And Bai do you really want to stoop down to their level... just because someone ended a human life doesn't mean the whole country have to stoop down their level and end theirs. The criminals should live with their guilt and the pain for the rest of their lives. Two wrongs do not make it right! Capital punishment is barbaric and our world has moved past that... February 3, 2010 seeemilyplay.rock@ You will FORGET to FORGIVE by the time he/she is gone. February 3, 2010 ilovetaipei@ Death penalty should not be abolished at all cost. Let the LAW of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT stay. Let those criminals, rapists, murderers and corrupt officers be punished by DEATH. This is the only way to teach the monkey by slaying the chicken. February 3, 2010 wuweide@ I hope that Taiwan will one day abolish capital punishment. February 3, 2010 dc_thebest.rock@ lelly@ wrote: WTF. Wait till it happens to your loved ones.Killing people serves neither justice not safety. It's simply revenge, which does nothing but further hurt the victims of crime. State-sanctioned murder is wrong and I'm pleased our government is joining the rest of the world in this. Who wants to be a backward nation like China or Iran? February 4, 2010 justice4dvictim@ templemj@ wrote: If your own wife, daughter or niece have encountered the rapist murderer and died with mutilated and discomposing bodies before somebody fished her out from the river or somewhere in the isolated bush areas, let’s see how your feelings can comment such long statements against yourself. Can you?(part 2) Bai-Bing Bing also stated that if a national referendum were to find that the majority of Taiwanese in fact opposed capital punishment, she would take her own life. This statement is baffling, to say the least. My opposition to the death penalty is based on the following: when a state participates in execution, it loses the moral authority to tell its citizens that murder is wrong. The commission of a crime by the person being executed is irrelevant. Execution is still murder. If the state, which is meant to be a collection of the people, murders, then logic dictates that the people should be free to do so, too. This is clearly an undesirable end. That Ms. Bai would take her own life if she couldn't see criminals die severely detracts from her position, as it makes it seem not like one of reasoned opinion, but of mere bloodlust: if not the criminals' blood, then hers. The fact is that the horrible crimes against Ms. Bing have rendered her unable to look at the death penalty case objectively, something she will hopefully learn to do during her education in law at National Open University. The one whose job it is to look at such things, that is, Minister Wang, does so effectively, noting that abolition is an international trend. She also notes that even the two main political parties in Taiwan, which rarely see eye to eye, agree on this matter: it's time to modernize. Finally, she credits international data and research, not personal feelings, when she notes that there is no correlation between abolishing capital punishment and public security. Ms. Bing does, however, have one more shot – if she ascends to politics herself, as she has hinted at forming a “party of justice,” bent on retention of the death penalty. I, for one, hope the Taiwanese people do not follow the lead of their American counterparts, both in retaining capital punishment, and electing celebrities. February 4, 2010 wuweide@ Has no one considered that innocent people have in the past been executed? Not to mention people have been coerced to admit to crimes they have never committed, i.e. signing affidavits that they didn't fully understand, police brutality to squeeze out confessions, external threats to families/friends. Imagine if those people were your loved ones - do think long and hard about this. Taiwan is a compassionate society and I personally think we need compassionate laws to reflect our nation. February 4, 2010 wuweide@ Also, like to add that as much as we wish to rely on impartial laws to carry out justice in our society, it is important to bear in mind that all legal systems in the world are flawed in varying extents. In many places in the world, justice can be bought and the legal system is flawed. Imagine someone being sent to the gallows simply because of a technicality, or, if the laws did not carry out a just sentence. February 9, 2010 the_alliance47@ The problem with the death penalty is that it will never undo any of the crimes committed by the prisoner. The death penalty is also not a deterrent for crime, because someone committing a crime based off of emotions will not think, "If I do this, I will be executed, so I better not do it." These people are going to do what they do regardless of the law. To murder these people brings us all down to their level whereby killing is the only way to solve a problem. Taiwan is better than that. Taiwanese people are not blinded by hatred. Upholding human rights when it is not the easy thing to do is a sign of a mature democracy. Resorting to the violence of thugs, bullies and criminals reflects poorly on the soul of Taiwan! This is NOT a partisan issue; this is a test for the people of Taiwan, Blue AND Green. We must not let vengeance be the trademark of Taiwan, which has been a beacon of democracy in East Asia for so long. February 10, 2010 tsu4ever@ JUSTICE = FAIRNESS. Is it fair ENOUGH when those madaf_kers raped and murdered your daughter and STILL roamed free in their cell with free meals 3 times a day, played basketball and chess, read papers, watched satellite TV, had visitors every weekend?? You call this JUSTICE. You ain't seen nothing yet till you COME OUT from INSIDE. February 11, 2010 seii@ Execute those criminals ASAP and then harvest all their usable organs and donate it to the people. February 12, 2010 the_alliance47@ tsu4ever@ wrote: Justice and fairness are very different words and concepts. Unfortunately, the criminal "justice" system too often makes fair, but unjust decisions. Nothing said thus far negates the fact that the death penalty is an act rooted in vengeance and retribution. When violence begets more violence, evil has triumphed and blood is on the hands of both parties. As the old saying goes, "Two wrongs don't make a right."JUSTICE = FAIRNESS. Is it fair ENOUGH when those madaf_kers raped and murdered your daughter and STILL roamed free in their cell with free meals 3 times a day, played basketball and chess, read papers, watched satellite TV, had visitors every weekend?? You call this JUSTICE. You ain't seen nothing yet till you COME OUT from INSIDE. February 24, 2010 hstollar199@ wuweide@ wrote: Is your argument that we shouldn't execute people because there are more than a few innocent people on death row? If innocent people have been wrongly convicted or executed, then the judicial system is at fault and scrutiny should be placed on its process. Make changes in the system, not the punishments.Has no one considered that innocent people have in the past been executed? Not to mention people have been coerced to admit to crimes they have never committed, i.e. signing affidavits that they didn't fully understand, police brutality to squeeze out confessions, external threats to families/friends. Imagine if those people were your loved ones - do think long and hard about this. Taiwan is a compassionate society and I personally think we need compassionate laws to reflect our nation. February 24, 2010 hstollar199@ the_alliance47@ wrote: Your statement about the death penalty not undoing the crime committed is obviously true. No crime can be undone. Punishment has nothing to do with undoing the crime. As to the death penalty not being a deterrent for crime, I would say that the criminal put to death is certainly deterred-----because given the chance, that person would commit more heinous crimes. I'm not so sure about Taiwan being any sort of "beacon of democracy", but certainly within Taiwan, there is a lot of racism, hatred, greed, and corruption. I'd prefer more positive steps be taken towards eradicating these problems then spending time wondering about the rights of a murderer or rapist.The problem with the death penalty is that it will never undo any of the crimes committed by the prisoner. The death penalty is also not a deterrent for crime, because someone committing a crime based off of emotions will not think, "If I do this, I will be executed, so I better not do it." These people are going to do what they do regardless of the law. To murder these people brings us all down to their level whereby killing is the only way to solve a problem. Taiwan is better than that. Taiwanese people are not blinded by hatred. Upholding human rights when it is not the easy thing to do is a sign of a mature democracy. Resorting to the violence of thugs, bullies and criminals reflects poorly on the soul of Taiwan! This is NOT a partisan issue; this is a test for the people of Taiwan, Blue AND Green. We must not let vengeance be the trademark of Taiwan, which has been a beacon of democracy in East Asia for so long. February 27, 2010 tublairy@ Each case should be looked at individually. For heinous crimes which can be proven beyond the shadow of a doubt, death penalty is the best answer. When you take a life in cold-blooded murder, you have abdicated your human rights. Protecting the lives of the innocent are of the highest priority. Once a killer - always a killer. Off with your head. March 11, 2010 the_alliance47@ hstollar199@ wrote: Putting someone in jail for life without parole also prevents that person from killing again and it costs taxpayers less money. Acting out of vengeance by killing someone only perpetuates the cycle of violence and hatred. The thing about human rights is that it is intrinsic to every human being regardless of one's actions. What people who support legal homicide often fail to understand is that every human being has intrinsic value, regardless of how one lives her or his life.Your statement about the death penalty not undoing the crime committed is obviously true. No crime can be undone. Punishment has nothing to do with undoing the crime. As to the death penalty not being a deterrent for crime, I would say that the criminal put to death is certainly deterred-----because given the chance, that person would commit more heinous crimes. I'm not so sure about Taiwan being any sort of "beacon of democracy", but certainly within Taiwan, there is a lot of racism, hatred, greed, and corruption. I'd prefer more positive steps be taken towards eradicating these problems then spending time wondering about the rights of a murderer or rapist. March 11, 2010 eddie@ Here's an idea, let's put all these peace-loving, no-death-sentence people on an island with a few murderers and see how that goes... you're all just a bunch of cowards with your excuses, human rights, lower costs keeping them in jail, being more civilized, etc... cost is not a problem, one bullet to the head is enough to take care of a filthy murderer, and that bullet can be billed to their family members. The world is becoming worse each day because people nowadays have lost the backbone to do what needs to be done, and the same people have the nerve to criticize those who take action. March 11, 2010 b.williams@ I was living in Taiwan at the time of Bai Bing Bing's daughter's murder and was very aware of all the hear-rending circumstances surrounding it. Nobody felt safe and it was only the execution of her killer that restored some calm to society, I do think that the death penalty is a deterrent to the kind of cold-blooded criminal with no regard for human life and I wish Ms. Bing success in her campaign. March 11, 2010 hstollar199@ To: the_alliance47@There isn't a failure to understand that "every human being has intrinsic value". The understanding is quite clear: those criminals who commit inhumane and heinous acts should no longer be considered human and certainly have no intrinsic value to any society. Additionally, the reason one should be put to death has to do with justice (not vengeance) for the victims and the victims' families. I'm sure there are other ways to save taxpayers money. And, for the record, I do believe there should absolutely hatred for murderers and rapists. March 11, 2010 tophat@ the_alliance47@ wrote: Yes, "violence begets more violence"....in a gang fight. In the case of the death penalty, the criminal dies. End of story.Justice and fairness are very different words and concepts. Unfortunately, the criminal "justice" system too often makes fair, but unjust decisions. Nothing said thus far negates the fact that the death penalty is an act rooted in vengeance and retribution. When violence begets more violence, evil has triumphed and blood is on the hands of both parties. As the old saying goes, "Two wrongs don't make a right." March 11, 2010 tophat@ lelly@ wrote: How does it further hurt the victims of crime?Killing people serves neither justice not safety. It's simply revenge, which does nothing but further hurt the victims of crime. State-sanctioned murder is wrong and I'm pleased our government is joining the rest of the world in this. Who wants to be a backward nation like China or Iran? Yes, let's abolish the death penalty and be more like "forward-thinking" countries such as Nicaragua, Rwanda and Cambodia. March 12, 2010 ouchi57@ I salute Minister Wang who was willing to stand by her convictions and give up a cushy government job, and thus be true to herself.The world needs more politicians like that. To those who advocate the death penalty because they believe in taking a life for a life, does that mean that we must assault those who assault and rape those who rape? Or are we only allowed a certain degree of barbaric revenge? |
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