It is the value of Taiwan’s democracy that the punishment of civil servants is not subject to statute of limitations.

Zhang Xingjue/freelance writer

In early April, quasi-president Lai Ching-te attended the press conference for the special exhibition of Zheng Nanrong and the Freedom Era. In his speech, he mentioned that after taking office, 520 will promote three important tasks, including upholding Taiwan’s sovereignty, introspection, review and improvement, so that the people who have suffered and been persecuted can be redressed. . Lai Qingde said that Taiwan has gone from the dark age of authoritarianism to the present moment of happiness and freedom. Tens of millions of people have sacrificed and dedicated themselves in the process, among which Zheng Nanrong is definitely one of the most important representatives. He emphasized that after taking office, he will actively promote three important tasks and protect Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.

Lai Ching-te said that the first thing is to uphold Taiwan’s sovereignty. Only with democracy can there be human rights. The prerequisite for pursuing human rights and freedom is that the country must have sovereignty. The second thing is to use the events of the past to carry out social transformation and national reconstruction, and cleanse everyone’s life. Let everyone understand that freedom does not fall from the sky, but has to pay a price; finally, Lai said that the people who have suffered and been persecuted must be vindicated, receive an apology from the country, and restore their reputation.

Before the 1974 year of the Republic of China, the Civil Servant Punishment Law of our country was based on the principle of “prior to punishment”. In the 1974 year of the Republic of China, the law was revised to “concurrency of punishment and punishment”. There was a quite sensational case at that time. Cao Zuwei, the Supreme Prosecutor of the Chiayi District Court, once In 1957, involving a judicial scalping case, the Supervisory Yuan proposed impeachment, but he was not punished until his death in office. This already involved national judicial justice and absolutely cannot be tolerated. Therefore, the law was revised in 1974 and changed the “priority of punishment” to criminal and Parallel punishment system. However, what is puzzling is that in the landmark case of the Republic of China – Law and Tax 228, prosecutor Hou Kuanren was pointed out by the Supervisory Yuan to have eight major violations. Why did the Ministry of Justice wait until the criminal conviction was confirmed before punishing it, dragging officials behind 10-year statute of limitations?

The person in charge of 88 Guild Hall, Guo Zhemin, was suspected of money laundering and absconding. Legislator Huang Guochang recently questioned the Minister of Justice, and the prosecutor allowed Guo Zhemin. The administrative report of the High Prosecutor’s Office not only avoided important matters, but even deviated from the facts. In his eyes, it was a cover-up. Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang stated that “administrative investigations can still be carried out as long as the non-disclosure of criminal investigations is not violated.” Huang Guochang pointed out that if the time for handing over the administrative report is left to the New Taipei District Prosecutor’s discretion, can it be delayed as long as it wants? Huang Guochang criticized, according to Minister Cai, no one can ask or question, even when the administrative investigation will be released, can it be delayed slowly?

Former supervisory committee member Qi Guimei once served in the Insurance and Training Association. A civil servant was recorded with one major demerit in the first half and the second half of the year. However, because the personnel director was replaced and did not notice it, there were not two major demerits and he was removed from office, so he cited the invalidity of power. The principle is that invalid behavior will not become valid due to the passage of time, and illegal civil servants will be eliminated without limitation of statute of limitations. Judicial justice is to protect the people. However, former prosecutor Hou Kuanren, who repeatedly violated laws and disciplines in handling cases, severely harmed people’s lives, property, and human rights through torture. The number of victims exceeded tens of thousands. His illegal acts are countless, but the government has repeatedly condoned them. It really goes against the basic spirit of democracy and the rule of law. The author hopes that the incoming quasi-president Lai Qingde will keep his word: he will rehabilitate the people who have suffered and been persecuted, receive an apology from the country, and restore their reputation.

Photo source: CNEWS Convergence News Network file photo

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