Right to Life
Core Philosophy
The right to life is the most fundamental foundation of all human rights. Taiwan still retains the death penalty and has successively carried out executions. The Judicial Reform Foundation believes that regardless of the ultimate direction of criminal policy, the due process and transparency of capital punishment are unavoidable demands at present.
"Abolishing the death penalty is not condoning criminals, but refusing to let the state respond to killing with killing. True justice cannot be built upon the extinction of another life."
— Taiwan Alliance to End the Death PenaltyThe core issues we focus on include: Can the death penalty effectively deter crime? How can the risk of wrongful convictions be prevented? Do execution procedures comply with the strictest standards of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)? And in the face of the grief of victims and society, are there more restorative alternative choices?
Three Key Dimensions of Concern
Procedural Justice
Does the execution comply with statutory procedures? Are there minimum safeguards such as the presence of legal counsel, notification of family members, and psychological evaluations? Have all avenues of relief been exhausted prior to execution?
Alignment with International Human Rights
Pursuant to Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, states should restrict the application of the death penalty to the "most serious crimes" and continuously strive toward its abolition.
Exploring Alternatives
In the process of abolishing the death penalty, how can victims' families be comforted? How can society's expectations for public safety be met? How should alternative systems such as life imprisonment be designed?
Important Statements and Selected Articles
Related Organizations and Resources
Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP) is a civil organization dedicated to abolishing the death penalty over the long term, and the JRF is one of its co-advocacy partners. To learn more about arguments and international information regarding the abolition of the death penalty, please visit the official website of the TAEDP: www.taedp.org.tw
Amnesty International releases a global death penalty report annually, tracking execution and abolition trends across countries: amnesty.org (English)
Last Edited: 2026-04-28
2014
The Soul-less and Lifeless Supreme Court
Just as the Supreme Court was about to reach a full-year record without a single finalized death sentence, it broke the…
2014
Procedural Justice in Capital Punishment Enforcement
Following the September Political Strife and the March Sunflower Student Movement last year, procedural justice has…
2014
The Government Addicted to Violence Is What Truly Deserves Preventive Detention
On April 30, the Minister of the Interior held a high-profile press conference claiming that at least ten individuals…
2014
Justifying Nuclear Power Plants Through Executions
It is understood that newly appointed Minister of Justice Lo Ying-sheng intends to carry out executions again, citing…
2013
Taiwanese Government Violates Covenants Again, Tseng Yung-fu Illegally Carries Out Executions Once More
The Covenants Watch, Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty, Taiwan Association for Human Rights, and Judicial Reform…
2013
Statement Condemning the Ministry of Justice's Potential Resumption of Executions on April 19
Around noon today (April 19), organizations including the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty and the Covenants…
2012
Supreme Court's Sentencing Debate Deserves Commendation, But People-Friendly Measures Still Need Improvement
Regarding the Supreme Court's sentencing debate hearing for the Wu Min-ch'eng case held today (24 December 2012), our…
2012
Supreme Court Holds Preparatory Hearing for Oral Argument on Death Penalty Sentencing: Minor Flaws Do Not Overshadow the Merits
Regarding the Supreme Court's preparatory hearing for oral argument on the death penalty sentencing in the Wu…
2010
Protesting the Ministry of Justice's Unlawful Execution of Death Sentences! Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty
Groups including the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty, the Judicial Reform Foundation, the Taiwan Association…
2010
Protesting the Ministry of Justice's Hasty Execution of the Death Penalty! Joint Statement by the Judicial Reform Foundation, Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty, and Other Groups
Regarding Minister of Justice Tseng Yung-fu's signing of death warrants on April 28 for four death row inmates—Chang…
2010
Minister Wang, and Society's Dilemma—Statement by the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty on the Resignation of Minister Wang Ching-feng
Upon taking office, Minister Wang Ching-feng expressed her personal belief in supporting the abolition of the death…
2010
Statement by the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty Regarding Calls to "First Execute Death Penalty Cases Where Sentences Have Been Finalized in Accordance with the Law"
The Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty is gladdened to see more people expressing support for the abolition of…