The Truth Investigation Committee Should Operate at a Low Intensity, and the Executive Yuan Should Cooperate at a High Intensity

After observing the establishment and operation of the Truth Investigation Committee for four days, members of the Alliance for Civilian Monitoring of the Truth Investigation Committee held a meeting today to exchange views. In response to the chaos of soaring political rhetoric between the ruling and opposition parties and the deadlock between the Executive Yuan and the Truth Investigation Committee, the alliance resolved to issue the following statement:

1. The Alliance for Civilian Monitoring of the Truth Investigation Committee believes that the Truth Investigation Committee Act is indeed suspected of being unconstitutional. However, since the Truth Investigation Committee possesses formal democratic legitimacy, the alliance calls upon the Executive Yuan and the Truth Investigation Committee, prior to any unconstitutional ruling by the Grand Justices, to exercise forbearance for the sake of the country, make mutual concessions, and coordinate a workable direction. We also suggest that the committee approach its work from the standpoint of a preparatory committee, avoid high-intensity operations, and prepare in advance for a future lawful organization.
2. The "Alliance for Civilian Monitoring of the Truth Investigation Committee" welcomes the Truth Investigation Committee and the Kuomintang and People First Party legislative caucuses to propose amendments, and advocates thinking along the following three levels: First, prioritize reforming the prosecutorial system through legislation, with the parliament consenting to and the President appointing an independent Prosecutor-General. On the other hand, if the opposition parties harbor doubts, legislation should also be enacted through general provisions similar to a "Special Committee on Major National Incidents." If the first two approaches cannot be implemented, we hope to insist on amending the existing Truth Investigation Committee Act to bring it into line with constitutional requirements.
3. Should the ruling and opposition parties intend to proceed in this direction, the alliance is willing to further engage in bilateral communication and visits.
4. However, if the Truth Investigation Committee insists on aggressive operations and any citizens' rights and interests are infringed upon, the alliance will provide a legal service fax hotline at (02)2531-9373. Major or necessary cases will be handled as dedicated legal projects.