Corporal punishment referendum has been proposed by Chinese Nationalist Party legislators in Taiwan. KMT Legislator Hung Meng-kai announced the proposal at a news conference today. The referendum would cover implementing corporal punishment for sexual assault, child abuse, and large-scale scams. Hung stated that the move would not be emotionally motivated. Instead, it would respond to public demands for better protection.
Polls indicate that up to 70 percent of the public would support introducing corporal punishment for these crimes. A referendum would allow the public to debate the issue directly. Voters could assess which is more important: the human rights of the perpetrator or the safety of the public. Cases of child abuse, sexual abuse, and fraud are becoming increasingly severe, Hung said. These crimes are also growing more complex and organized. The nation must evaluate whether it requires more stringent punishments to deter such crimes.
Hung previously suggested public caning to deter fraud and drunk driving in an October Facebook post. He cited a Straits Times report about Singapore considering expanding caning for scammers. He asked whether Taiwan should follow Singapore’s example. The Democratic Progressive Party criticized the proposal at that time. DPP Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung called it a step backward for human rights. Hung raised the proposal again at the Judiciary and Organic Laws Committee in November. The Ministry of Justice said it was evaluating the issue at that time.
Hung was joined by KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang and five other legislators today. The group formally proposed the referendum on corporal punishment. Hung clarified that the referendum would not overstep the Legislative Yuan’s right to draft laws. The courts would still issue sentences with due process. However, the Referendum Act allows the public to determine large policy shifts.
KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang called on the DPP to respect public opinion. He urged them not to vote against the proposal in the legislature. If the legislature passes the proposal, the Central Election Commission should hold a referendum according to law. Lin Pei-hsiang said the proposal is not about denying human rights. It aims to restore victims’ dignity while safeguarding offenders’ rights. Lin acknowledged the issue is difficult and controversial. However, the law should allow the public to voice their opinion through a referendum. The KMT plans to push for legislative approval in the coming weeks. Public debate on the issue will intensify if the referendum moves forward.
