Criticism from human rights groups and the European Union. But 70% of people in Taiwan support the death penalty. Premier Wu: Even democratic countries like U.S. and Japan maintain capital punishment.

Taipei (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The execution of four prisoners on death row has been criticized by human rights groups and the European Union. But Premier Wu Den-yi defends the right of the State to enforce the death penalty, as with the United States and Japan. Even the majority of the island's population supports the death penalty.

The sentencing to death of four prisoners in Taipei, Taichung and Tainan occurred last April 30 and is the first execution to be carried out by the state since 2005, when Taiwan also agreed to a moratorium. But capital punishment is supported by much of the public (at least 70%) and particularly by the relatives of victims. The Minister of Justice, Tseng Yung-fu (see photo), signed the conviction order on 28 April. He entered office in March after the resignation of Wang Ching-feng, contrary to the death penalty.

A human rights group, the Foundation for the reform of justice, has condemned the actions of the minister and accused him of having wanted to hasten the executions at all costs. The European Union also issued a statement in which "deplores" the death sentences.

Yesterday Premier Wu defended himself saying that "not all democratic nations have abolished the death penalty" and cited as examples the United States and Japan.

At present in Taiwan there are 40 prisoners awaiting execution. The four killed were guilty of kidnapping and killing of kidnapped (one a primary school child) and various other murders.

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