Taiwan editorial abstracts

Taipei, Sept. 29 (CNA) The following is a brief roundup of selected local newspaper editorials Tuesday: LIBERTY TIMES: Can we have reasonable suspicions that Ma Ying-jeou is a Chinese "spy?" Taiwan recently refused the entry of World Uighur Congress Chairwoman Rebiya Kadeer. Taiwan has thus become only one of two countries that have alleged she is a "terrorist." The Ma administration rejected her visit under the pretext that Dolkun Isa, secretary general of the World Uighur Congress, is listed on the "wanted" list by Interpol.

Under the regulations of the international police organization, all members can ask Interpol to issue a "red alert" to mobilize other members to help track down fugitives, although other members can exercise their discretion in whether to provide assistance.

Taiwan's seat in Interpol was taken by China in 1984, and the island is no longer its member. Why should it toe the line of China's alert? China has so far alerted Interpol of over 800 people on its black list. Western countries usually will not accept those who are wanted for political reasons.

If judged by the same criteria, can we conclude that Ma is a spy sent by China? Can we ask the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office to initiate an investigation on Ma for his alleged involvement in the offenses of sedition and treason.

UNITED DAILY NEWS: Why is "justice serving the people" simply empty talk? Every move of law enforcement and judicial personnel, starting from the initiation of a criminal investigation to a trial and the execution of the court's verdict, affects the lives of every party involved.

But if law enforcement and judicial personnel only play by the book and care most about their own convenience, then it can result in real misery for those parties involved.

The Criminal Procedure Law stipulates that unless it is essential to the investigation, judicial personnel should not summon persons of interest for questioning. Still some policemen, prosecutors and judges do just that.

Those who receive the summons, in addition to worries, have to set aside their work at hand to be questioned.

Recently, judicial reform groups have upheld the ideals of justice for the people, but to achieve that end, empathy among law enforcement and judicial personnel is essential.

If they can put themselves in the shoes of those who are being questioned, then even if the latter complain, they will still be respected. If judicial personnel do not show empathy, then even if the summoned cannot resist the system, they will still be angry at judicial or law enforcement workers.

Members of the judicial system should strive for respect instead of falling into the trap of self-mockery that comes with shirking their responsibility.

CHINA TIMES: Promote legal revisions instead of supporting ex-president The Taiwan High Court ruled recently to extend the detention of former president Chen Shui-bian for another three months, on the grounds that he is involved in a felony, and that he is a flight risk and could collude to destroy evidence.

Chen, who has been in detention since late last year, then petitioned for U.S. intervention to seek his immediate release.

However incredible and preposterous it is for Chen to resort to such an approach, it should still be said that if the court's ruling is based on the fact that he is involved in a felony, then there is room for discussion over whether the provision governing the detention of those implicated in a felony in the Criminal Procedure Law is constitutional.

Chen's political folly and lack of shame deserve no sympathy from society, but the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 's attitude will be a gauge of its political wisdom.

DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen recently asked for a meeting with Justice Yuan President Lai In-jaw, saying that she solicited the meeting on behalf of millions of people. Her request was rejected by Lai.

Tsai clearly wanted to address Chen's case at the meeting. But the DPP should know that it has advocated for human right protection, not for one individual.

Over the past two years, the number of people detained prior to or during trial has surpassed 10,000 and the number this year is nearly the same. The number of those actually in detention centers at present is 3,000. How many of them are like Chen and being detained because of three reasons rather than for simply being accused of a felony or for potentially destroying evidence? Why does the DPP only support Chen, instead of thinking about revising the law, if it is not mincing words in saying that it wants to uphold human rights? APPLE DAILY: A) Abusive parents and unruly children A first year high school student, angry at his critical and abusive father, chopped off his father's left hand in collaboration with a friend.

The father is in critical condition, but the student said that he "had no feelings, just like chopping chickens or ducks" when he perpetrated his horrible deeds.

The family is usually the source of trauma. If children grow up in families without love, then it will be difficult for them to develop a wholesome character. They often end up thinking that violence is the only way to solve problems.

Such children also have a hard time controlling their emotions and their self-esteem is low. Sometimes, they even harbor animosity toward society.

Abusive parents and parenticide have been the results of dramatic changes in society. This, coupled with high unemployment due to economic decline, could make it a more common phenomenon.

The ruling and the opposition parties should address the situation.

(B) A big joke When cellist Chang Chen-chieh checked in for a flight to Taitung, the UNI Air staff refused to let Chang place his cello on the seat next to him, even after Chang offered to buy a seat for the instrument.

The airline asked Chang to check the cello in as baggage, and Chang relented, but the musician asked to accompany the instrument to the plane's cargo hold to make sure it was appropriately stored.

The airline reluctantly agreed but told him, "you are a troublemaker and we will not welcome you in the future." It is a big joke for workers in the service sector to say such a thing. It is an international norm for a cellist to buy a seat for his instrument. If not, how could musicians travel overseas to perform? (By Lilian Wu)