Taiwan took the first step towards abolishing the death...

Taiwan took the first step towards abolishing the death penalty by dropping the sentence for teenagers under 18, who up until now could be condemned if found guilty of killing family members. Under the revised law the maximum penalty for the crime will be a life sentence. "For the sake of fairness and since there is international consensus that teenagers under 18 cannot be sentenced to death ... we have abolished the death sentence for teenagers under 18 who kill family members," the cabinet said in a statement. Taiwan's Justice Ministry has held several public opinion polls on abolishing the death penalty. About 70 per cent of respondents were opposed, saying they feared it would encourage crime.