Taipei: Human rights groups have condemned the execution of a death row prisoner in Taiwan, accusing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government of using the death penalty as a political maneuver. "We strongly condemn the attempt of the Lai Ching-te government to use the implementation of the death penalty to divert attention from his current political predicament," the groups stated in a joint announcement following the execution of Huang Lin-kai at the Taipei Detention Center.
According to Focus Taiwan, the criticism arises amid a legislative deadlock over several bills and the central government's 2025 budget plans, issues that have posed challenges for the Lai administration. Lai Ching-te, speaking at an event in Taichung, defended the death penalty as constitutional and sought public support for the government's actions, although he did not address whether the execution was politically motivated to boost approval ratings.
A survey by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation in December indicated an increase in Lai's approval rating, despite public support for opposition-backed bills. However, human rights groups argue that the execution, authorized by Justice Minister Cheng Ming-chien, breached procedural justice and a Constitutional Court ruling on the death penalty.
The groups emphasized that the execution would not foster a safer society or enhance public trust, suggesting instead that it might lead to greater societal violence and resentment. The Constitutional Court had previously ruled the death penalty constitutional only for "the most serious" crimes, allowing death row inmates like Huang to petition for extraordinary appeals.
The groups urged a moratorium on further executions, allowing inmates time to petition the Supreme Prosecutors Office. The call for a moratorium was echoed by the European Union, which reiterated its opposition to capital punishment and urged Taiwan to work towards its abolition.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed Huang's execution, stating it was carried out to "ensure social justice" while considering human rights. This marked Taiwan's first execution under Lai's leadership. Huang was sentenced to death for the 2013 rape and murder of his ex-girlfriend and her mother. The Ministry contended the execution adhered to the Constitutional Court ruling.
