Constitutional protections shaped a tense debate on Tuesday as Taiwan’s interior minister urged lawmakers to pause new religion bills. Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang said three competing drafts conflict with more than two dozen existing laws. She warned that the proposals duplicate rights already secured by the Constitution and could create legal confusion.
Liu addressed these concerns during a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s International Administration Committee. Lawmakers from all parties submitted drafts, but she said none show legal consistency. The minister asked legislators to avoid rushing a bill that lacks broad agreement across government bodies.
A majority of the ministry’s religious affairs committee expressed hesitation about the drafts. Over 90 percent of members believe lawmakers need more time for careful study. Many committee members argued that the Constitution already ensures strong religious freedom protections.
Each draft contains clauses elevating religious freedom above other important rights. Liu noted that such provisions could spark new legal conflicts. She also said the drafts do not clearly define religion or religious groups, which may cause enforcement problems.
Several members of the committee emphasized the need for precise language. Ambiguous definitions could complicate routine administrative decisions, they said. Others warned that poorly structured rules might harm rather than support religious communities.
Constitutional protections remained central throughout Liu’s remarks. She argued that adding a basic law on religion risks creating overlapping rules. Another legal layer, she said, may weaken clarity rather than strengthen it.
Taiwan already allows religious organizations broad freedom to operate. Liu stressed that improving current administrative practices would be more effective than passing new legislation now. She suggested lawmakers focus on transparency and consistency before considering major legal changes.
Analysts view the debate as a sign of slowed momentum on the issue. They expect lawmakers to request more consultations and technical reviews in the coming months. Additional discussions may occur before any version of the bill returns to the committee.
Liu closed her comments by reaffirming the value of constitutional protections. She said these guarantees provide a stable foundation for future policymaking and urged legislators to respect that balance.
