Military officials yesterday said they are conducting an investigation over accusations by a lawmaker that an army officer physically abused a conscript, resulting in a wrist injury, and used intimidation tactics in an attempt to keep the conscript and his family from speaking out over the allegations.
New Power Party Legislator Hung Tzu-yung (洪慈庸) on Wednesday said a sergeant surnamed Wu (吳) at the Army Academy in Taoyuan grabbed the conscript, surnamed Yu (余), by the arm, twisting it and injuring Yu’s wrist.
Yu’s parents were present at the time, Hung said.
Yu had mobility issues at the time after injuries sustained in a traffic accident and asked that his bunk bed be moved from the fourth floor to the ground floor, Hung said, adding that the sergeant refused the request.
Yu called the 1985 helpline, which is designed to provide assistance to soldiers and hear issues or complaints and his parents traveled to the academy for a “negotiation session” on the matter, she said.
However, the sergeant allegedly manhandled Yu and threatened him, saying Wu and his parents should not speak to the media to avoid another “Hung Chung-chiu (洪仲丘) case,” a reference to Hung Tzu-yung’s brother, who died 2013 after being ordered to perform exercises as a form punishment.
“It is regrettable that the military has not changed much in the past few years. For conscripts to report bullying and undue punishment, there is only the 1985 helpline,” Hung Tzu-yung said.
“Beyond that, soldiers can only ask elected representatives for help,” she said.
“Society is concerned that this culture still exists in the military,” she said. “I hope we can establish a good human rights mechanism for the military.”
Officials at the Army Command Headquarters issued a statement yesterday, saying that a sergeant has been handed a minor demerit and transferred to another unit, while an internal probe was being carried out.
The results of the investigation would be made public, the officials said.
Army Academy principal Major General Lee Fu-hua (李福華) said that “there was wrongdoing by the sergeant.”
“He breached the academy’s administrative regulations, therefore he was punished with a minor demerit,” Lee said.
However, Lee denied that the sergeant uttered any threats or mentioned the Hung Chung-chiu case.
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