Outgoing Council of Grand Justices member Wu Geng (
"We suffered political pressure from time to time whenever we were doing our job -- deciding whether a specific case was against the Constitution or should be protected by it," Wu said. "However, I am glad and proud to say that none of us grand justices gave in or was affected by the pressure."
Wu made his remarks during a farewell party held by the Judicial Yuan yesterday morning for the 15 grand justices, some of whom are stepping down from their posts.
He used the council's Interpretation Number 251 to the Constitution as an example of the government applying "irresistible" pressure to the grand justices.
The article was handed down on Jan. 19, 1990, ruling unconstitutional the law governing offenses punished by the police.
The law authorized the police to arrest, detain and punish suspects without any supervision, approval or authorization from the court.
According to Wu, high-ranking officials took advantage of their administrative power to try to persuade grand justices into avoiding ruling on the law.
"We have to make progress. We have to move on. Taiwanese people deserve this," Wu said.
As for his plans now, Wu said he would return to National Taiwan University to continue his career as a law professor. He has been a grand justice since 1985.
Tung Hsiang-fei (
"I am proud to say that I have accomplished my mission. I did not disgrace my superior and my people," he said.
The legislature on Sept. 16 approved the 15 council nominees, including Judicial Yuan President Weng Yueh-sheng (
Other returning members include Weng, Cheng, Lai In-jaw (賴英照), Hsieh Tsay-chuan (謝在全), Wang Ho-hsiung (王和雄) and Lin Yung-mou (林永謀).
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