Release Wei Yang and Prosecute Police Abuse of Power!

In response to the order given last night (March 23) by the President, the Premier, and the Director-General of the National Police Agency to forcefully suppress and clear out students, a group of legal scholars and lawyers issued the following statement:

1. We must issue a stern warning to prosecutors because, since last night, we no longer trust the police; we must appeal to prosecutors because prosecutors are the spokespersons for the constitutional state under the rule of law, and their inherent mission is to objectively look out for the accused and restrain the abuse of power by the police.

2. Therefore, we solemnly urge prosecutors to earnestly uphold the "obligation of objectivity" conferred by Article 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure:

1. Please do not degrade yourselves into acting as followers of the police and willingly serve as ruthless thugs for the executive branch. Please duly take note of evidence favorable to the students.
2. Please do not collude with the police, turning a blind eye to police violence and abuse of power. Please investigate and hold accountable, in accordance with the law, any unlawful enforcement of power by the police.

We reiterate without reservation: Prosecutors are the spokespersons for the constitutional state under the rule of law. At this critical juncture determining the survival of our nation's democracy and rule of law, prosecutors, please consult your conscience and choose whether to stand on the side of democracy and the rule of law, or on its opposite side!

A Group of Scholars and Experts Yearning for Students to Return Home, Sincerely

Signatory Statement

Ch'u Hai-yuan, Professor / Research Fellow, Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica
Wu Chieh-min, Professor / Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica
Lin Yü-hsiung, Professor / Professor, Department of Law, National Taiwan University
Huang Kuo-ch'ang, Professor / Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Law, Academia Sinica
Liu Ching-yi, Professor / Professor, Graduate Institute of National Development, National Taiwan University
Hsieh Yü-wei, Assistant Professor / Assistant Professor, Department of Law, National Taiwan University
Chou Po-feng, Assistant Professor / Assistant Professor, Department of Law, National Chengchi University
Hsieh Chih-hung, Associate Professor / Vice Dean of the College of Law and Department Chair
Wu Hao-jen, Associate Professor / Department of Law, Fu Jen Catholic University
Chung Fang-hua, Assistant Professor / Department of Law, Fu Jen Catholic University
Liu Yen-ch'i, Assistant Professor / Department of Law, Fu Jen Catholic University
Ch'en Hsin-an, Assistant Professor / Department of Law, Fu Jen Catholic University
Lo Ping-ch'eng / Attorney-at-Law
Kao Yung-ch'eng / Attorney-at-Law
Cheng K'ai-hung / Attorney-at-Law
Ch'iu Hsien-chih / Attorney-at-Law
Chou Yü-hsiu / Attorney-at-Law
Kao Jung-chih / Attorney-at-Law

Attendees

Ch'u Hai-yuan, Professor / Research Fellow, Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica
Wu Chieh-min, Professor / Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica
Huang Kuo-ch'ang, Professor / Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Law, Academia Sinica
Liu Ching-yi, Professor / Professor, Graduate Institute of National Development, National Taiwan University
Hsieh Yü-wei, Assistant Professor / Assistant Professor, Department of Law, National Taiwan University
Chou Po-feng, Assistant Professor / Assistant Professor, Department of Law, National Chengchi University
Lo Ping-ch'eng / Attorney-at-Law
Kao Yung-ch'eng / Attorney-at-Law
Cheng K'ai-hung / Attorney-at-Law
Ch'iu Hsien-chih / Attorney-at-Law
Chou Yü-hsiu / Attorney-at-Law
Kao Jung-chih / Attorney-at-Law