In response to the public's appeals, the Executive Yuan this week announced it would establish a grievances committee to handle citizens' applications for new investigations and retrials of past cases of suspected military injustice.
After intensive consultations, Premier Jiang Yi-huah today ratified the principles governing the establishment of this committee as well as the roster of committee members, over two thirds of whom are from the private sector and one third of whom are females.
The committee will be composed of 15 members: four representatives from human rights and civic groups, three lawyers recommended by the Taiwan Bar Association, four scholars and experts and four government officials. Minister without Portfolio Luo Ying-shay will serve as the convener and Deputy Minister of Justice Wu Chen-huan as the deputy convener.
The committee will handle cases within the 20 years before its establishment date in which soldiers died or disappeared while serving in the armed forces and their spouses or first- or second-degree blood relatives did not agree with the conclusions of the Ministry of National Defense's (MND) investigation. In addition to receiving new applications, the committee will check past cases for which the MND previously processed petitions alleging military injustice.
Cases which the committee decides require further investigation will be forwarded to prosecutors, and those meriting extraordinary appeals will be sent to the Prosecutor-General of the Supreme Prosecutors Office. If there is reason for a retrial, such an appeal will be made to the civilian court system with the cooperation of legal aid agencies.
An application may be rejected if the case is determined not to merit further action or stems from an incident exceeding the 20-year statute of limitations. If so, the committee's reasoning will be sent to the applicant in writing.
The committee office and application window will be located inside the Executive Yuan and begin operations once these facilities are prepared. Meanwhile, phone, mail and online channels will be established to take appeals from citizens, as well.