Statement on the Legislative Yuan's Confirmation of the Nominees for Grand Justices and the President and Vice President of the Judicial Yuan

Today (October 8, 2010), the Legislative Yuan voted to confirm the appointment of Attorney Lai Hao-min as Grand Justice and President of the Judicial Yuan, and Professor Su Yung-chin as Grand Justice and Vice President of the Judicial Yuan.

This Coalition's evaluation result for nominee Attorney Lai Hao-min was: Not Recommended. This was primarily because, over many years, Attorney Lai has offered few proactive or positive discourses or actions regarding constitutional understanding, human rights concepts, and judicial reform policies, thus lacking the qualifications suitable for serving as a Grand Justice and President of the Judicial Yuan. However, since the Legislative Yuan has passed the nomination by a majority vote, the Coalition hereby expresses its respect and hopes that upon taking office, President Lai will take clear and proactive actions to fulfill the goals of judicial reform and human rights protection.

This Coalition's evaluation result for nominee Professor Su Yung-chin was: Strongly Not Recommended. This was primarily because, over the years, Professor Su has put forward many conservative opinions supporting authoritarianism, restricting democracy, and suppressing human rights. Furthermore, his constitutional understanding, human rights concepts, and judicial reform proposals frequently conflict with past interpretations by the Grand Justices, and he has publicly stated his disagreement with and refusal to abide by the conclusions of the National Judicial Reform Conference. Therefore, the Coalition expresses deep regret that the Legislative Yuan still approved this personnel appointment. Nevertheless, based on the premise of respecting the institutional system, the Coalition still hopes that upon taking office, Vice President Su will support judicial reform policies that align with public expectations, abandon the mindset of prioritizing ruling order in constitutional interpretation, and instead adopt an active human rights protection perspective when interpreting the Constitution.

Press Contact

Attorney Lin Feng-cheng, Executive Officer and Spokesperson, Coalition to Monitor Judicial Yuan Grand Justice Nominees 02-2523-1178

Members of the 2010 Coalition to Monitor Judicial Yuan Grand Justice Nominees

Taiwan Association forajer (Society) / Taiwan Association for Human Rights / Judicial Reform Foundation...
Taipei Bar Association
Taiwan Law Association
Taiwan Association for Human Rights
Judicial Reform Foundation
Taiwan Bar Association