Taiwan
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Retentionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 0
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 1
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · In November 1997, the Parliament approved the death...
- News items in the archive
- 284
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Taiwan is classified as Retentionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 0 executions in the country, against 1 the year before. The archive holds 284 news items on Taiwan, from 1999 to today.
In Taiwan executions are rare and widely spaced, the method is shooting, and the debate on abolition has been open for years, with court rulings that have narrowed its application. Those sentenced wait for long periods.
The archive follows executions, judicial decisions and the political debate.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2001TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
In November 1997, the Parliament approved the death...
In November 1997, the Parliament approved the death penalty for gun-toting criminals, toughening already strict gun laws in the face of a public outcry over violent crime
- SEPTEMBER 22, 2000TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
Two mainland Chinese men were convicted of murder by...
Two mainland Chinese men were convicted of murder by the Supreme Court and sentenced to be executed
- AUGUST 2, 2000TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
Cheng Tai-chi was executed after his fourth appeal...
Cheng Tai-chi was executed after his fourth appeal against his death sentence was rejected
- JULY 27, 2000TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
Thirty eight year-old Yeng Ming, a Chinese crewman...
Thirty eight year-old Yeng Ming, a Chinese crewman for the 4,450-ton British steamer Caduceus, was executed and 10 others were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment each on charges of affiliation with the Reds
- APRIL 28, 2000TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
President-elect Chen Shui-bian said that although the...
President-elect Chen Shui-bian said that although the abrogation of the death penalty is a world trend, he would leave the question to the legislature out of respect for the legislative branch of the government
- FEBRUARY 21, 2000TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
The Ministry of National Defence (MND) denied that...
The Ministry of National Defence (MND) denied that it had ever disclosed any of its intelligence sources in its intelligence reports
- JANUARY 1, 2000TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
In November 1997, the Parliament approved the death...
In November 1997, the Parliament approved the death penalty for gun-toting criminals, toughening already strict gun laws in the face of a public outcry over violent crime
- DECEMBER 2, 1999TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
On December 2, a Chinese court sentenced 2 Taiwan citizens...
On December 2, a Chinese court sentenced 2 Taiwan citizens to death and jailed 2 others for trying to smuggle out 44
- OCTOBER 6, 1999TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
On October 6, 8 people were executed by gunshots to the head
On October 6, 8 people were executed by gunshots to the head
- AUGUST 11, 1999TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
On August 11, the Taiwan High Court handed down a death...
On August 11, the Taiwan High Court handed down a death sentence to Cho Changjen, Shih Xiaoning and Jiang Hongchun for murdering Wang Chun-chieh in Tamsui in suburban Taipei in August 1991
- JULY 21, 1999TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
On July 21, the parents of Kuo Ching-ho said in a letter...
On July 21, the parents of Kuo Ching-ho said in a letter that they felt ashamed of their son's cold-blooded crime
- MAY 1, 1999TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
In May, Guangdong and Fujian public security forces...
In May, Guangdong and Fujian public security forces cracked 7 cases involving the smuggling of fake bank notes from 1995 to last year, while arresting 12 Taiwanese suspects and seizing 3 vessels
- FEBRUARY 1, 1999TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
In February, two men were arrested on allegations that...
In February, two men were arrested on allegations that they spied on Taiwan's military and then funneled secrets back to Beijing through Chinese agents in Hong Kong
- JANUARY 1, 1999TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
In November 1997, the Parliament approved the death...
In November 1997, the Parliament approved the death penalty for gun-toting criminals, toughening already strict gun laws in the face of a public outcry over violent crime