Statement by the Foundation Regarding Media Reports That President-Elect Tsai Ing-wen Consulted Former Minister of Justice Shih Mao-lin on the Position of President of the Judicial Yuan

Photo Source／World Journal

Regarding recent media reports that President-elect Tsai Ing-wen consulted former Minister of Justice Shih Mao-lin regarding his willingness to serve as President of the Judicial Yuan, which has drawn varied responses from various parties, the Foundation states as follows:

1. On March 22 of this year (2016), the Foundation held a press conference titled "Judicial Reform Driven by Presidential Political Energy." The second of the three statements presented at the press conference advocated that the President of the Judicial Yuan and the Minister of Justice in the new government should meet the following three criteria.
2. First, they must have made significant contributions to Taiwan's democratic movement and judicial reform, with no record of subservience to those in power. Second, they must have a profound understanding and awareness of the hardships people encounter within the judicial system, and be capable of implementing the President's judicial reform platform. Third, they must support the convening of a national judicial reform conference and possess the determination and capability to implement major reforms.
3. Regardless of whom President-elect Tsai Ing-wen may subsequently consult, the Foundation once again calls for adhering to these three criteria, bidding farewell to the old judicial culture, reversing the public's distrust in the judiciary, and rebuilding a new atmosphere for the justice system.

Press Contact

Kao Jung-chih, Attorney-at-Law, Executive Director, Judicial Reform Foundation 02-25231178