Taiwan’s constitutional court ruled on Friday that the death penalty remains constitutional, but only for the most serious crimes and with stringent legal scrutiny. This decision came after a petition was brought by 37 death row inmates. While Taiwan is known as one of Asia’s most liberal democracies, the death penalty remains popular among the public, although executions are rarely carried out.
The court emphasized that the right to life is important but “not absolute,” according to Judge Hsu Tzong-li. Human rights groups, however, expressed disappointment, urging Taiwan to fully abolish capital punishment. The Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty said that the path to abolition would be challenging but necessary.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s presidential office called the ruling a key moment for the judiciary, encouraging continued dialogue on the matter. On the other hand, the largest opposition party, Kuomintang, expressed regret, claiming the court’s decision was at odds with public opinion.
Taiwan has faced international criticism for executions in the past, including from the European Union, which urged the island to stop the practice.