The Executive Yuan Council today approved amendments to a crime law to strengthen protection for ROC nationals who fall victim to crime while abroad.
According to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the current Crime Victim Protection Act offers no assistance in cases where citizens die overseas due to the intentional act of another ROC citizen. The MOJ is hence proposing an assistance fund that provides fair protection to these victims, in a way that will not burden the nation's coffers.
The amendments, to be sent to the Legislature for deliberation, are summarized below:
1. Operating funds needed by the crime victim protection institution may be drawn from the sum of amounts payable by convicted defendants who have had their sentences suspended or deferred. (Article 29)
2. The appropriate agencies should offer assistance to those entitled to aid under this act, taking initiative to inform them of their rights. (Article 29-1)
3. Media outlets covering or producing programs on criminal cases should take care to guard the privacy and reputation of victims and their families. If the victims suffer as a result of the reports, the outlet's owner and personnel involved will bear civil, criminal or administrative liabilities. (Article 30-1)
4. Concerning the assistance funds, the amendments also specify details on the application method, supervising agency, eligibility requirements (including who and under what conditions), order in which family members receive compensation, amount of aid (maximum NT$200,000 or US$6,872 per family), and procedures for claiming and returning funds. (Articles 34-1 to 34-5)