TAIWAN: President vows to put an end to the death penalty

President Chen Shui-bian has repeated his plan to abolish the death penalty and legalize marriage between homosexuals.

Chen told a Danish parliamentarian delegation yesterday that, "Taiwan wants to be founded on the basis of human rights. I hope that Taiwan's human-rights standards can catch up with those of the world as soon as possible."

Taiwan has drafted the "human rights basic law," which covers abolishing the death penalty and legalizing gay marriage, Chen said.

But he did not say when the human rights basic law would be implemented.

Since becoming president in 2000, Chen has vowed to improve the nation's human rights record. He appointed Vice President Annette Lu to head the Human Rights Consultative Committee under the Presidential Office.

Abolishing the death penalty and legalizing gay marriage are 2 controversial issues faced by Chen's administration.

Public opinion polls show 70 % of Taiwanese want the death penalty to stay, but human rights activists insist that abolishing capital punishment is a world trend.

The Constitution states marriage is between a man and a woman, so the legislature would have to amend it if it wants to launch the human rights basic law and legalize gay marriage.

In 2000, Chen received 2 US human rights activists attending the annual Taipei Gay Carnival, and told them homosexuals must fight for their rights.

Taiwan has 1 gay bookstore, 1 gay publishing house and dozens of gay rights organizations.

But Taiwanese gays still complain about discrimination in schools and jobs, and occasional police raids on gay bars, saunas and parks frequented by homosexuals.