Taipei, April 7 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday he will nominate a record number of female candidates to serve as grand justices whose main missions are interpreting the nation's Constitution and unifying the interpretation of laws and ordinances.
Chen also outlined two key principles for nominating a president and vice president of the Judicial Yuan. "The candidates must be committed to judicial reform and selflessly uphold judicial independence," he explained.
The president made the remarks while meeting with representatives of a self-proclaimed watchdog body overseeing the upcoming nomination of grand justices.
Noting that grand justices are defenders of the nation's Constitution, Chen said the nomination will not include any political considerations. "Professional competence, knowledge and experience as well as personal integrity, concepts about constitutional democracy, concerns for the underprivileged and contributions to Taiwan's democratic development, rule of law and human rights protection will be the basic elements to be gauged in the process, " said Chen, a lawyer-turned-politician.
He further assured his guests that there will be no "pork barrel" politics consideration nor "proportion in terms of party affiliation" arrangement in the procedures. "I truly look forward to contributing to Taiwan's human rights conditions, democracy and rule of law through the nomination of grand justices and the Judicial Yuan president and vice president, " Chen said.
Over the past decades, he went on, women have been under-represented in the Council of Grand Justices. "This time, I'll nominate a record number of female candidates to join the council, " he said.
During Monday's meeting, Chen carefully listened to various suggestions presented by the alliance's representatives, in addition to briefing them on his working principles.
Chen said he will form a special task force to recommend and screen possible candidates.