Shieh Ming-Yan, Grand Justice Nominee, Approves of De-criminalization of Extramarital Sex

Shieh Ming-Yan, Grand Justice Nominee, Approves of De-criminalization of Extramarital Sex

Source: China Times

June 27, 2019

Yesterday, the Legislative Yuan held another confirmation hearing on nominations of Grand Justices. Legislator Yu Mei-nu (尤美女) queried Shieh Ming-Yan (謝銘洋), a Grand Justice nominee, about the issue of de-criminalization of extramarital sex, and Shieh indicated that according to Article 239 of the Criminal Code, extramarital sex is an offense. Shieh said that while the judicial review on the constitutionality of extramarital sex was still pending, it was not convenient for him to answer whether this article was in violation of the Constitution.

In addition, legislator Chen Hsiu-Hsia (陳秀霞) also questioned Shieh whether he approved of the de-criminalization of extramarital sex. Shieh replied that from the angle of legislative policy, his answer was affirmative. He said, for instance, developed countries tackled this problem through the civil code, and the criminal code ought not to be used to meddle in family affairs. Nonetheless, Shieh concluded by saying that the final decision was in the hands of the Legislative Yuan.

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