Wed, Feb 11, 2004 - Page 2 News List

Iruan to set off for Brazil, finally

CUSTODY FARCE Iruan leaves today, but critics were scathing about the child's treatment throughout the ordeal, with the media and the Wu family prime culprits

By Jimmy Chuang and Debby Wu  /  STAFF REPORTERS

"At one point the foundation asked the government to put a limit on the media's endless reporting on [Iruan] and send in social workers instead to monitor his condition. We also hoped that the Wu family would respect the judge's decision," she said.

"But we failed on almost every level -- the media still reported on Wu as much as they liked, and the Wu family refused to accept visits from the social workers," she said.

Facing criticism over the officials' handling of the matter, Kaohsiung District Court President Tsai Wen-kuei (蔡文貴) defended the law enforcement officers, saying that they had done their best under the circumstances.

However, he also said that there was room for improvement in the way officers handled such cases.

"Throughout this affair we have tried to avoid argument and conflict," he said.

"However, the Wu family and nearby residents do not realize that emotions are not above the law. We understand that they love the boy, but when he had to go, he had to go. Everyone should respect court orders," he said.

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