Press Conference | Thirty Years of Judicial Reform with Your Support: Opening Press Conference for the Association for Taiwan Judicial Reform's 30th Anniversary Exhibition "Becoming an Ordinary Person"

Becoming an Ordinary Person ｜ Exhibition Introduction  Becoming an Ordinary Person ｜ Series Lectures

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Association for Taiwan Judicial Reform (JRF). To look back at past human rights transformations and look forward to the future of judicial reform, we specially hosted the "Becoming an Ordinary Person: JRF 30th Anniversary Special Exhibition" at the 2828 National Memorial Hall. The exhibition showcases the thirty-year history of Taiwan's judicial reform, including the evolution of legal regimes such as the Legal Aid Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Constitutional Court Procedure Act, and the Judges Act. Through vintage photographs, old archives, past judicial reform magazines, and interviews with judicial reform pioneers, the exhibition reviews milestone actions such as rescuing major wrongful death penalty cases, pursuing corrupt prosecutors, and supervising Grand Justice nominee selections, while also capturing judicial reform issues of recent concern.

"Hoping one day justice may become our promise, promising a fair trial"
——Song of Judicial Reform, Lyrics by Sue Wang, Composition by Summer Lei

On the day of the opening press conference, we invited partners from various fields who have cared for and promoted judicial reform over the years to join in the grand event, sharing their journey and innermost thoughts. We were also honored to have Professor Summer Lei, who composed the Song of Judicial Reform back then, perform live to once again bring us the moving sentiment of that promise.

JRF Chairperson and Attorney Huang Hsu-tien stated: "Sustaining this for thirty years has been no easy feat. For the judiciary to move forward and progress, every citizen before the judiciary must be able to securely act as an ordinary person, without needing to struggle just to become one." The exhibition venue, the 2828 National Memorial Hall, formerly served as the United States Information Service (USIS) and carries profound historical significance. Lan Shi-bo, Executive Director of the 228 Memorial Foundation, pointed out: "We hope our next generation can share historical memories with us, remembering these efforts and achievements that now seem taken for granted yet are far from ordinary."

Thirty years ago, the Taiwan Bar Association promoted the establishment of a private judicial reform organization. Thirty years later, Hsu, Chien Hung, Convener of the Supervisory Committee of the Taiwan Bar Association, also attended and delivered remarks representing the association: "JRF has brought together many idealistic lawyers to fight together for institutional reform. In the future, the Taiwan Bar Association will continue to support judicial reform and walk hand in hand with JRF."

Former Legislator and former Chairperson of the Taiwan Bar Association, Attorney Yu Mei-nu, also came to show her support. She expressed: "Every era brings different challenges. From monitoring incompetent judicial officers to proposing bills that alleviate the burdens of judicial officers, and establishing a specialized gender judicial reform division to focus on gender equality within the judiciary, JRF has played different roles across different eras, consistently striving to ensure that everyone can become an ordinary person."

JRF Standing Director and Attorney Lin Yung-sung emotionally shared: "Over the past thirty years, the attitudes of judicial officers, the cross-examination system, and legal aid have all progressed; yet many reforms remain incomplete. Thank you to all partners who have supported us along this path, and may Taiwan's judiciary continue to transform."

Over the span of 30 years, JRF has mobilized the collective strength of the public from the bottom up, transforming a once-abnormal judicial landscape into today's normal and ordinary state—while monitoring whether rights that the majority now take for granted are also universally protected for vulnerable groups. Though unfinished business remains, we never stop. We continue to make promises and stride toward the future.

The special exhibition runs from July 8 to August 10, 2025, located at the 3rd-floor exhibition area of the 2828 National Memorial Hall (No. 54, Nanhai Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City). Except for closures on Mondays, it is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. People from all walks of life are cordially invited to visit.

Attendees

JRF Chairperson, Attorney Huang Hsu-tien
JRF Standing Director, Attorney Lin Yung-sung
JRF Former Chairperson, Attorney Huang Jui-ming
JRF Director, Professor Lu Ying-chieh
JRF Director, Attorney Huang Ming-chan
Taiwan Bar Association Supervisory Committee Convener, Attorney Hsu Chien-hung
Taiwan Bar Association Former Chairperson, Attorney Yu Mei-nu
Taiwan Bar Association Judicial Reform Committee Chairperson, Attorney Chiang Jung-hsiang
Taipei Bar Association Chairperson, Attorney Sonya Hsu
Taoyuan Bar Association Deputy Chairperson, Attorney Lin Che-lun
Taichung Bar Association Secretary-General, Attorney Hou Pei-chi
Kaohsiung Bar Association Standing Supervisor, Attorney Liu Szu-lung
JRF Standing Executive Committee Member, Attorney Cheng Kai-hung
JRF Standing Executive Committee Member, Attorney Lin Shih-hsun
JRF Standing Executive Committee Member, Attorney Kao Yang-hui
JRF Standing Executive Committee Member, Attorney Jen Hsiao-hsiang
JRF Executive Committee Member, Attorney Chen Wei-chiao
Top Ten Judicial Reform News Comic Creator, Mr. Chien Hsi-chieh
Control Yuan Member, Member Kao Yung-cheng
Taiwan Federation of Social Welfare, Secretary-General Sun I-hsin
Amnesty International Taiwan, Deputy Secretary-General Chang Chih
Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights, Secretary-General Chien Chih-chieh
Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation, Executive Director Tu Ying-chiu
Association for Victims Support, Deputy Executive Director Hsiao I-min
Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, Deputy Secretary-General Peng Chih-liu
Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, Marketing and Planning Director Juan Mei-ying
Environmental Jurists Association, Chairperson Lin Mu-hsing
Environmental Jurists Association, Deputy Chairperson Lin Po-chen
Environmental Jurists Association, Standing Director (Former Chairperson) Chang Yu-yin
Taiwan Symbiosis Youth Association, Secretary-General Pan Mei
Taiwan Symbiosis Youth Association, Secretary Yang Chi-yin
Citizen Congress Watch, Chairperson Hsieh Tung-ju
Citizen Congress Watch, Standing Director Chen Hsueh-li
Citizen Congress Watch, Standing Supervisor Lin Mei-na
Taiwan Association for Human Rights, Secretary-General Yu I-chia
Taiwan Equality Campaign, Deputy Executive Director Weng Yu-ching
Taiwan Equality Campaign, Researcher Cheng Yuan-hsin
Taiwan Association for Truth and Reconciliation, Executive Secretary Lin Yu-hsuan
Humanistic Education Foundation, Executive Director Feng Chiao-lan
29th Anniversary Judicial Reform Fundraising Banquet Art Auctioneer, Attorney Lo T'ien-yu
Case Party, Mr. Wen Yi-ren
Case Party, Teacher Wang Lung-chang
Members of the RCA Employee Care Association