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OCTOBER 2012

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS


Really, Mr. Ma, its about the economy!

On October 30, the Executive Yuans DirectorateGeneral of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) revised down, for the ninth time, the countrys GDP growth rate. Last August, it was announced that GDP growth would be 4.58%, and this time, it was revised down by 1.05%. DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang said that the current approval ratings for the president and premier have gone down to new lows, which is an actual reflection of the peoples dissatisfaction and their loss of confidence towards the present government. An executive branch that has lost all the peoples confidence is destined to fail, he said. The DPP has been appealing for a long time to this administration to change the cabinet and save the economy in order for the Executive Yuan to have an opportunity for a restart, but President Ma

Ying-jeou insists on keeping the cabinet as is, which is why he must explain to the people the reasoning behind his decision. The DPP has suggested several reform packages to the government, all of which have been opposed by the KMT. After an active investigation conducted by the DPP, it was discovered that Taiwans national savings decrease annually by approximately NT19 billion. This has caused the public to question whether the government is unfairly allocating its resources. There has also been an increase on the negative view by the public towards careered military officials and public servants with the recent controversy surrounding their annual bonuses. This kind of bonus system not only shows an unfairness exerted by the government towards the rest of the public, but it also created an alarming

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negativity towards the military and civil servants. The DPP believes that social fairness is the nations most important value, and the government must ensure that all groups of society are treated equally. In regards to the recent controversy surrounding the bonuses, the DPP has already issued a clear standpoint. Due to a lack of legal backing as well as the lack of fairness in this system, the DPP clearly and strongly advocates its abolishment. The DPP plans to set-up a task force that will review retirement benefits for careered military officials and civil servants. The task force will also review the social welfare system and retirement benefits for all people in society. This group will be comprised of DPP former government officials, political and social experts from the DPPs think tank, and it is to be headed by Lin Wan-yi, the DPPs think tank executive director. Chair Su Tseng-chang hosted a coordination meeting on October 22 about the issue of annual bonuses for retired military and civil servants with Convener Ker Chien-ming, Director-General Pang Meng-an and Secretary-General Tsai Chi-chang from the DPP Legislative Caucus and DPP Spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien, among others. During the meeting, it was agreed that the DPP

OCTOBER 2012 will take active action and issue institutional reforms regarding the annual bonuses with three specific goals in mind. The first one is to ensure that no specific group in the community is targeted as having a negative image. Secondly, the DPP hopes to ensure that no further inequality from the government arises in welfare protection for disadvantaged groups compared with the benefits of military and civil servants. Thirdly, the DPP hopes that no different systems (or different standards) exist under one government. From a legal perspective and from the equal and compassionate points of view, halting and canceling annual bonuses for retired military and civil servants comply fully with reform, Mr. Lin said. It is also reflected in the DPPs latest poll that the public support and approve the DPP initiative. According to Mr. Lin, the DPPs latest polls shows that 79.7% believe the governments annual bonus for retired military and civil servants is unreasonable while only 15.8% believe it is reasonable. Mr. Lin said that for the first goal, the DPP believes in the type of reform that is implemented with serious consideration over social welfare. Only when this reform is being put under the total restructuring of the social welfare system, will this reform be justifiable, he said. Mr. Lin also explained that the DPPs second goal is to ensure that no further discrimination is posed against disadvantaged groups with the aim of providing special protection for them. The retirement plan in Taiwan has been modified over time, and

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there are currently various types of retirement regulations for civil servants. Overall, civil servants with the current retirement plan was modified in 1992 (effective since 1995), but the preferential rate for retired official savings continues to be incredibly high. In the third goal, Mr. Lin said that the DPP hopes to reinforce the regulation of one country with the same standard system, instead of different methods of retirement benefits to be carried out by local governments. At the Central Executive Committee meeting on October 24, DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang emphasized the DPPs resolution to produce a sound economic package that will tackle the current inefficiencies from President Mas Administration.

OCTOBER 2012 Chair Su said President Ma has not been short of issuing slogans about the economy, such as 6-33- and the Golden Ten Years, but they have all failed to produce the desired results, and the public is growing more dissatisfied as reflected in his approval ratings. Faced with the peoples suffering and the countrys difficult situation, the DPP must take action, Chair Su said. We have come up with a compassionate economic package that will focus on four major directions: revitalize industry, empower local finance, enhance family support and help the youth.

Chair Su Tseng-chang: DPP continues to uphold its values concerning cross strait relations
Chair Su Tseng-chang expressed to the media before the partys Monday meeting on October 8 that the DDP has always insisted upon the transparency of any interaction between Taiwan and China. He emphasized that the DDP continues to abide by the principle of maintaining Taiwans sovereignty, firmly asserting the value of freedom, democracy, peace and equality. There might be different opinions within the party, but our values have not changed, Chair Su said. When asked by the media regarding the visit to China by Former Premier and Former DPP Chair Frank Hsieh, he responded that the DDP continues to insist that Taiwan holds an active and confident attitude towards China. By active, he said he meant that because Taiwan and China are only divided by water, it is inevitable that both sides must interact. He said that in order to resolve the existing differences, there must be plenty of communication and dialogue, and this is not only expected by the majority of the Taiwanese public, but they are also the expectations of the international community. Chair Su also said that on the other hand, confidence is necessary because there are many great differences between Taiwan and China, as Taiwan is a democracy, and it is both open and diverse. As far as what is different in China, he said that China is still under the leadership of one political party and a country without democracy or freedom. Lastly, he asserted, the Taiwan value will definitely become the future trend. PAGE 3

OCTOBER 2012

Liberal International passes resolution supporting President Chens medical parole


The 58th Liberal International (LI ) Congress was held in Abidjan, the capital of Cote dIvoire in Africa. Throughout the congress, participants expressed concerns regarding the worsening health condition of Former President Chen Shui-bian and the growing issues regarding his medical treatment. Chair Su Tseng-chang assigned Mr. Liu Shihchung, director of the Department of International Affairs and Ms. Maysing Yang, chair of the Peng Ming-min Foundation, to report the recent situation of Mr. Chen to the delegates at the LI Congress. During the congress, a resolution was passed to call for more prudence in conducting medical treatments for Former President Chen, and that authorities should make sure that he is receiving the best treatment possible. The resolution released by LI convention is as follows: LI expresses concerns over the treatment of former president Chen Shui-bian which has severe consequences on his medical welfare and calls on the authorities to grant him medical parole to ensure that he receives the highest level of medical attention. Liberal International Chair, Mr. Hans van Balen, who is also a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and member of the Netherlands VVD party, showed deep concern and worry after receiving the news of Mr. Chens melancholia and other illness symptoms. He expressed desire to be able to pay a visit to Mr. Chen in Taiwan to show support from the 100 national political parties around the world that he represents. LI is an international alliance of democratic political parties from more than 100 countries, of which the DPP is a member.

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OCTOBER 2012

DPP hold forum on transitional justice in Taiwan


The DPP held its third series regarding transitional justice as part of the Open Studio policy forum on October 30. Present at the forum were: Mr. Michael Hsiao, director of the Institute of Sociology at Academia Sinica; Mr. Li Fu-chung, assistant professor of history at National Chengchi University; Mr. Chen Chun-kai, lecturer in history at Fujen Catholic University and Mr. Chen Yaohua, professor of philosophy at Soochow University. The main issues discussed were former DPP efforts in transitional justice and challenges faced and the role of political parties in transitional justice. Mr. Hsiao started the discussion by citing the difficulties faced by the DPP in government when it started promoting transitional justice. These challenges included compensation for victims and the publication of historical archives, but he said that a strange phenomenon appeared where there were many victims, but no perpetrators. Mr. Hsiao emphasized that in order to carry out transitional justice, the inevitable part will include a view of the past authoritarian dictatorship, but it is not for the reasons of inciting ethnic conflict or start political retaliation. Mr. Li referenced the KMTs return to power in 2008, reclaiming the rights to interpret historical facts. The result, according to Mr. Li, was that the KMT compromised the concept of transitional justice and blurred even more past injuries. He said that, for example, perpetrators have been portrayed as carers under the KMT. He suggested that in the future, if the DPP gains majority in the Legislative Yuan, it must push for a reduction in the threshold for constitutional amendments in order for civil society to start fresh. Mr. Chen analyzed the work performed by the past DPP government concerning transitional justice, which he said lacked a systematic approach and that it was to random, especially only focusing on election-related issues. With the past authoritarian structure remaining unchanged, he said that a return to the old system was unavoidable. He suggested that in the future, everyone must be conscious when engaged in transitional justice. At the end of the discussion, Mr. Hsiao issued the three nos for transitional justice, which are: 1. Transitional justice must not be reduced to shallow events such as concerts, forums, moviewatching, etc. 2. Not to be absent-minded when it comes to remembering history. 3. Not to shift responsibility away - the DPP must once again embrace the force of society and cooperation to engage in reform.

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OCTOBER 2012

DPP holds third conference series regarding judicial reform in Taiwan


As part of the Open Studio Conference Series, the DPP held a discussion about judicial reform in Taiwan on October 23, which has taken place for the third time at the DPP Headquarters. Mr. Fan Kuang-chung, former secretary-general of the Judicial Yuan, was the main speaker of the event. Other panel participants included legal experts with wide experience in judicial cases in Taiwan. They were: DPP Legislative Caucus Convener Mr. Ker Chien-ming; defense attorneys Mr. Koo Li-hsiung and Mr. Cheng Wen-long; judge Mr. Chen Chin-hsian and prosecutor Mr. Chen Ruiren, among others. The main issues discussed at the panel concerned the circumstance of political interference in the judicial process, how to implement exit mechanisms for incompetent judges and prosecutors, and the importance of democratic involvement in the judicial process. In the opening discussion, Mr. Fan said these three topics of discussion comprised the fundamental direction for judicial reform. He insisted that judicial reform is critical and essential for national development and progress. Mr. Ker, the DPPs legislative caucus convener, expressed that no one could deny the existence of political interference in the judicial process in Taiwan, and he stressed that the task involved in its abolishment is the most critical issues to be dealt with. He cited the example of the controversial special funds cases, which were particularly obvious that political interference took place because the use of special funds has been criminalized, but only DPP politicians has been prosecuted. He questioned whether there is really one set of standards by the prosecutors when it comes to the use of special funds by government officials. Mr. Koo, a defense attorney, discussed the history of judicial reform since 1999. He said that reform itself is not just a judicial issue, but also a political one. He gave the model of Japan, where the political party in charge is responsible for promoting judicial reform, leading a trend in Asia, which he suggested that it is also a model that Taiwan should follow. Adding further, he stressed the importance of diversification in judges backgrounds in order to enhance the mechanisms of introspection. Mr. Cheng, also a defense attorney, discussed the current problems in Taiwans judicial environment, especially mentioning the code of conduct of judges. He said, for example, the so-called dinosaur judges is a label that the media and the public have given to the types of judges with oldfashioned views that do not conform to todays society. He said that this has caused the public to loose all confidence and trust in the judicial system. Prosecutor Mr. Chen said that the difficulty lies in the different opinions regarding judicial reform, which causes a lack of uniformity. He emphasized that for this reason, the first priority should be to reach a consensus in reforming the judicial system. Even though he said that political interference in general is rather unlikely, he admitted the possibility of differences in opinion between judges and prosecutors, which is why he favors training and education on conduct. He said that there exists current public pressure from journalists and media personalities, which is why the future of judicial reform lies on how judges must detach themselves from public pressure.

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OCTOBER 2012

Mr. Chen, who is a judge, analyzed the exit mechanisms for judges, which he said that it shouldnt be based on public opinion but actual facts and evidence of wrongdoing. He said that otherwise, there would be too much room for political interference. He also stressed the importance of judges and prosecutors to possess the characteristics of honesty, courage and a sense of justice, while admitting that the current training lack the incentives to entitle judge and prosecutors to stand by these characteristics.

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS


PUBLISHED BY: Department of International Aairs Democratic Progressive Party 9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Road, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306 Fax: 886-2-2393-0342 Email: foreign@dpp.org.tw Website: http://www.dpp.org.tw

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