Calling on the DPP to Support the Simultaneous Trial Run of Lay Participation and Jury Systems – Public Petition Action at the DPP Headquarters

The 'Grand Alliance for the Simultaneous Trial Run of Lay Participation and Jury Systems' was initiated by civil society organizations concerned with judicial reform. Its demands are: (1) Opposing the Judicial Yuan's unauthorized exclusion of the jury system. (2) Public support for the simultaneous trial run of lay participation and jury systems. Since the launch of the petition on April 30, it has been joined by over 155 organizations and 929 individuals.

Last Friday (the 8th), the Alliance gathered at the main entrance of the Legislative Yuan on Zhongshan South Road, inviting representatives from the caucus caucuses of all political parties to step forward, submit a petition, and sign in support of the demand for the 'simultaneous trial run of lay participation and jury systems.' Opposition parties, including the Kuomintang, the Taiwan People's Party, and the New Power Party, all had their caucus conveners step forward in person to sign in support. Only the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Caucus failed to send a representative to respond, a fact that the Alliance deeply regrets.

Article 28 of the DPP Charter stipulates: 'Revise criminal procedure laws and regulations to establish a jury system; cases involving offenses of internal or external rebellion shall establish a jury composed of representatives from various political parties, congressional representatives, and impartial members of society, and shall be tried publicly,' advocating for the establishment of a jury system. This is a political commitment made by the DPP to the people of Taiwan and the international community since its founding, and a political demand hoped to be achieved by the people who cast their ballots for the party. Today, the DPP raises no objection to the Judicial Yuan's arbitrary promotion of a 'solo trial run of lay participation,' while dodging and refusing to state its position on the Alliance's promotion of a 'simultaneous trial run of lay participation and jury systems.' How can it talk so grandly about political integrity?

Acquiring political power is meant to realize ideals. On September 27, 2012, DPP Legislative Caucus Convener Legislator Ker Chian-ming spoke in the Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee: 'Today, this Member represents the DPP Caucus in proposing the jury system.' However, due to an insufficient number of legislators, the jury system bill failed to pass. Now that the DPP is the majority party in the Legislative Yuan, the previously unfulfilled ideal of establishing a jury system can entirely be achieved right now.

Today, the Alliance has come to the DPP headquarters to petition, calling on the party to support the 'simultaneous trial run of lay participation and jury systems.' The DPP's political demand is the establishment of a jury system, and there is no room for evasion regarding the demand for a 'simultaneous trial run of lay participation and jury systems.' The Alliance demands that the DPP immediately and publicly state its position on this major judicial reform policy; otherwise, it will face continued protests and oversight from the people.

Attendees

Representatives of Alliance Organizations
Lin Yung-sung／Chairman, Judicial Reform Foundation
Cheng Wen-lung／Founding Chairman, Taiwan Association for Parliament Participation and Jury
Wang Wei-chun／Chairperson, Association for the Promotion of ROC Children's Rights
Chang Ching／Member, National Congress on Judicial Reform
Chang Yeh-sen／President, Taiwan Society
Li Li-chung／Chairman, Association for the Promotion of National Legal Reform in Taiwan
Hsu Hui-ying／Board Member, Taiwan Association for Citizens Participation
Chou Ming-chin／Director, Taiwan Animal Protection Administrative Inspectorate
Peng Chih-cheng／Secretary, Taiwan Forever Association
Wang Hsiao-yu／Standing Board Member, Taiwan Parliament Transparency Promotion Association

Contacts

Hsiao I-min／Office Director, Judicial Reform Foundation
Lin Ping-chuan／Deputy Secretary-General, Taiwan Association for Parliament Participation and Jury