The Judicial Reform Foundation and other civil groups today called on lawmakers to postpone deliberation of an amendment that would allow live broadcasts of courtroom proceedings, as the variety in types of litigation risks infringing on the rights of involved parties.
Opposition lawmakers last month submitted the draft amendment of the Court Organization Act (法院組織法) directly to a second reading.
The foundation held a news conference at the Legislative Yuan today, issuing a joint statement together with 17 other civil society groups including Covenants Watch and the Awakening Foundation.
Photo courtesy of the Judicial Reform Foundation
Although broadcasting court proceedings could increase the transparency and openness of the judicial system, they said they are concerned about the amendment being rushed through legislative procedures.
In terms of protecting the people’s right to litigation and the defendant’s right to a fair trial, there are some serious flaws in the draft submitted by the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), the Judicial Reform Foundation said.
It called on the Legislative Yuan to consider the amendment seriously and refrain from forcefully passing a bill without thorough deliberation.
Broadcasting court proceedings could bridge the gap between the judiciary and the public, and enhance public understanding and trust in the legal system, it said.
However, it is important to promote this policy prudently to ensure it does not infringe upon the rights of the parties involved, it added.
The foundation said that legislation of open court proceedings needs to ensure that all parties involved receive a fair trial.
Related practices vary across foreign legal systems and need to be evaluated, the foundation said.
Taiwan needs to be cautious about broadcasting court proceedings, as there are many kinds of litigation and this would have far-reaching impacts if implemented across the board, it added.
The TPP has hastily handled the legislative process for this amendment, which needs to be thoroughly discussed, the foundation said, urging the review be postponed.
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