The foreign ministry said late Thursday that it will continue to communicate with the European Union on Taiwan’s use of the death penalty. That’s after the EU representative office issued a statement following the execution of Taipei Metro killer Cheng Chieh.
The European Economic and Trade Office repeated the EU’s opposition to capital punishment and said the death penalty is ineffective as a deterrent. The statement urged Taiwan to immediately suspend executions of death row prisoners.
Cheng Chieh, a student, killed four and injured 21 in a random stabbing frenzy on the Taipei Metro in 2014. His execution was carried out on Tuesday. This was just 18 days after the death penalty was handed down and while his lawyers were planning to appeal. This prompted speculation that Cheng’s execution was a political move to appease public sentiment before the outgoing government leaves office on May 20.
The death penalty has overwhelming public support in Taiwan. Family members of Cheng’s victims said they’re satisfied that justice had been done.
The foreign ministry said it will continue to communicate the government’s position to the EU and hold dialogue and exchanges on human rights.