As the Ministry of Justice is to consider today the parole application of a serial rapist known as the "Hwakang Wolf," civic groups at home and abroad advised against granting him freedom.
They also urged the prestigious National Taiwan University (NTU) to think twice about granting the prisoner, surnamed Yang, approval to study in its sociology department.
"Mr. Yang has proven his intelligence, but there has been no evidence of rehabilitation or counseling during the time that he has spent in prison," said a letter from the US-based World Federation for Mental Health, addressed to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
Under the criminal code, Yang, who was sentenced in 1996 to 16 years for 19 counts of rape, is qualified to apply for parole now that he has served one third of his sentence. Recently, he took the Joint College Entrance Exam and scored high enough to enter the nation's top university.
"We don't feel that the best interests of female students, faculty members and staff at National Taiwan University have been considered," the federation's statement said.
"We urge you to support women's rights to safety and protection from violence when establishing policies. The lack of concern by the university for the physical safety and mental well-being of women on campus and in the community is an issue of great concern and should be strongly condemned."
A group of NTU students has launched a signature drive for a petition to press the Ministry of Justice to deny Yang's parole request on the grounds that his presence will cause them and residents in the neighborhood great anxiety.
"The authority concerned should strengthen its rehabilitation program before handing down a decision on Yang's case," one student said during a public hearing held by DPP lawmaker Chou Ching-yu (
An ad hoc panel set up by the justice ministry will convene its first meeting today to discuss the pros and cons of Yang's parole application.
Yang has offered to undergo chemical therapy to reduce his libido and other treatments to reduce opposition to his release.
Police branded him the "Hwakang Wolf" because most of his victims were college students in the Hwakang area near Yangmingshan National Park.
Lee Yun-shan (李雲裳), director of a domestic social service agency, doubted the effectiveness of medicine in restraining sexual compulsion. A social worker for 38 years, Lee also said that he would advise Yang not to study sociology, as his background would disqualify him from working as a social worker after graduation.
Taking the point a step further, Chiang Chi-shuan (江季旋), chairwoman of another social services organization, said repeat sex offenders should not enjoy the same human rights as law-abiding citizens.
"Rape is not simply an act of sexual desire taken to an extreme. Studies have shown rapists have anger and hostility toward women and must be rehabilitated," Chiang said.
Lee Kuang-hui (
He noted that it is not uncommon for Western countries to limit the freedoms of serious sex offenders even after they have served their time.
"Some rapists are just unfit to rejoin society, as they are prone to repeat their previous behavior when exposed to pressure," the psychiatrist said.
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