Chiu Hsien-chih
Chiu Hsien-chih (born 29 April 1976) is a Taiwanese lawyer and politician. He contested the 2016 and 2020 legislative elections as a member of the New Power Party, winning the latter election. Chiu served as party chair between March and August 2019.
Chiu Hsien-chih | |||||||||||
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邱顯智 | |||||||||||
Chiu in January 2016 | |||||||||||
Member of the Legislative Yuan | |||||||||||
Assumed office 1 February 2020 | |||||||||||
Constituency | Republic of China | ||||||||||
Leader of the New Power Party | |||||||||||
In office 1 March 2019 – 12 August 2019 | |||||||||||
Preceded by | Huang Kuo-chang | ||||||||||
Succeeded by | Hsu Yung-ming | ||||||||||
Personal details | |||||||||||
Born | Zhuqi, Chiayi County, Taiwan | 29 April 1976||||||||||
Political party | New Power Party (since 2015) | ||||||||||
Spouse(s) | Huang Wan-ting | ||||||||||
Children | 2 | ||||||||||
Alma mater | Heidelberg University | ||||||||||
Chinese name | |||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | 邱顯智 | ||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 邱显智 | ||||||||||
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Early life
Chiu was born on 29 April 1976,[1] and was raised in Zhuqi, Chiayi County, near Fengchih Lake.[2][3] His mother was a factory worker and his father was a teacher.[3] He lived in Germany for five years, returning to Taiwan in 2010, upon completing a doctorate at Heidelberg University.[2] He and his wife Huang Wan-ting moved to Huang's native Hsinchu, where the couple raised two children.[2][4]
Legal career
After the death of Hung Chung-chiu, Hung's family hired Chiu as legal counsel.[5][6] He remained the Hung family's legal representative until the conclusion of the case, an appeal heard in June 2017.[7] During the Sunflower Student Movement, Chiu served as spokesman for a group of over three hundred lawyers that pledged legal aid to protesters.[8] Chiu also represented Liu Yen-kuo in a murder case dating to 1997 until Liu's execution on 29 April 2014, Chiu's birthday.[1][9] Chiu worked with fellow lawyer Tseng Wei-kai on the Hualon Textile workers' compensation case.[10] Chiu often offered legal commentary in his capacity as chairman of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights.[11][12][13] In 2015, Chiu was present at an Anti-Black Box Curriculum Movement demonstration to offer legal assistance.[14] The next year, Chiu represented music teacher Hsiao Hsiao-ling in a wrongful termination lawsuit.[15][16] After Chiu contested the 2016 legislative elections as a New Power Party candidate, the party retained him for its legal team.[17] Chiu has since taken on cases relating to public safety.[18]
Lawyers Chiu, Tseng, Liu Chi-wei, and Essen Lee were featured in a 2016 documentary directed by James Su titled Fight For Justice.[19][20] In December 2017, Chiu published his first book in the Chinese language, Stand By You, about several of the legal cases he had worked up to that point in time.[21]
Political career
Chiu joined the New Power Party (NPP) upon its founding in 2015.[22] In February of that year, Chiu and Hu Po-yen became the first two people to represent the party as legislative candidates.[23][24][25] Chiu faced incumbent lawmaker Lu Hsueh-chang in the Hsinchu district.[23] The New Power Party attempted to ally itself with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP),[26] but Chiu was critical of Ker Chien-ming,[27] the DPP's candidate in Hsinchu, and refused to abandon his bid for office to support Ker's.[28] Chiu's main point of contention with Ker centered on political transparency within the legislature.[29] In October 2015, Chiu claimed that Ker had not responded to offers for the two candidates to debate each other before integration polling started.[30] With no deal in place to conduct integration polling,[31] Chiu formally registered his legislative candidacy by the November 2015 deadline.[32] Chiu's campaign partnered with that of Hu Po-yen, Hung Tzu-yung, Ko Shao-chen, and Freddy Lim, winning early support from Lin Yi-hsiung.[33] Chiu's campaign team was led by Chen Wei-ting, a leader of the Sunflower Movement.[34] Other Sunflower activists, such as Lin Fei-fan and Dennis Wei, also contributed to Chiu's campaign.[35][36][37] During the campaign, Chiu spoke in support of legislative reform,[38] and sharply criticized the scheduled Ma–Xi meeting.[39][40] After Chiu Hsien-chih lost the election to Ker Chien-ming,[41] he was named to a NPP task force on legislative reform.[42] In April 2016, the New Power Party opened its inaugural local office in Hsinchu, and named Chiu its first director.[43] In February 2019, Chiu contested an open seat on the New Power Party's executive committee and was subsequently elected party chairman, succeeding Huang Kuo-chang.[44][45] Chiu resigned the party leadership on 12 August 2019,[46] soon after Freddy Lim left the party, and Kawlo Iyun Pacidal's membership was suspended.[47][48] Following the departure of Hung Tzu-yung from the party, the NPP continued attempts to convince Chiu to return as chair.[49] Chiu refused to resume the chairmanship, and stated that either Hsu Yung-ming or Tseng Wei-kai should run for the position.[50] In November 2019, Chiu accepted a nomination from the New Power Party to contest the 2020 election as an at-large legislative candidate. He was ranked second on the NPP party list.[51] The New Power Party won over seven percent of the party list vote, allowing three at-large legislative candidates to take office.[52] Within the Tenth Legislative Yuan, Chiu served as New Power Party caucus whip.[53]
References
- Loa, Iok-sin (1 May 2014). "Anti-death penalty activists condemn executions". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Liu, Edward (12 December 2015). "Interview: Chiu Hsien-chih (邱顯智)". New Bloom Magazine. Translated by Hioe, Brian. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- 馬岳琳 (20 August 2014). "邱顯智律師:台灣的未來,不再有冤案". CommonWealth Magazine (in Chinese). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (10 January 2016). "NPP focuses on family in night rally". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Wang, Chris (18 July 2013). "Hungs demand speed, honesty in investigation". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Chang, Rich (29 July 2013). "Prosecutors name commander as defendant". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Pan, Jason (29 June 2017). "Ruling by High Court angers soldier's family". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Loa, Iok-sin (22 March 2014). "Students call on public to join protest". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Shih, Hsiu-chuan (4 May 2014). "Minister of Justice to be subpoenaed". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Lii, Wen (22 October 2014). "Hualon workers' leader faces court". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Loa, Iok-sin (23 May 2014). "RAIL RAMPAGE: Attack reignites death penalty debate". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Tseng, Wei-chen; Pan, Jason (17 July 2014). "Ma returning nation to Martial Law era: academics". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Loa, Iok-sin (3 May 2014). "Rights advocates pan pre-emptive detention plan". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Loa, Iok-sin (1 August 2015). "Curriculum Protests: NPP supports students, vows lawsuit over suicide". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Lin, Sean (26 May 2016). "Experts question Taipei's punishment of teacher". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Lin, Sean (23 September 2016). "Sacking was 'nightmare': teacher". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- "NPP files complaint against police attempt to end strike". Taipei Times. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Maxon, Ann (22 May 2018). "NPP urges regulation of amusement ride rentals". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- "Human Rights Documentary Fight for Justice Premiere and Special Screening". Taipei Film Commission. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- Hioe, Brian (29 November 2016). "Review: Fight for Justice (進擊之路)". New Bloom Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- Huang, Yahsin (12 December 2017). "Lawyer, Advocate, Activist: Chiu Hsien-chih's Vision for Justice in Taiwan". Taiwan Sentinel. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- Lin, If (19 December 2018). "INFOGRAPHIC: Charting 20 Years of 'Third Force' Electoral Gains in Taiwan". The News Lens. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- Lii, Wen (17 February 2017). "NPP announces its first election candidates". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Lii, Wen (25 February 2015). "NPP nominates political novices". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Chen, Wei-han (23 February 2015). "Metal singer to run for legislator". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Lii, Wen (13 March 2015). "Minor parties seek political alliances". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Lii, Wen (5 May 2015). "Top Sunflower joins NPP, eyes legislative run". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Loa, Iok-sin (19 July 2015). "NPP elaborates platform, slams PFP as KMT stooge". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (18 September 2015). "NPP criticizes Ker's values". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (15 October 2015). "Pan-green integration attempts appear to stumble". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (20 November 2015). "Neil Peng withdraws from election race". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (25 November 2015). "NPP candidate registers for Hsinchu seat race". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Lii, Wen (7 April 2015). "Lin I-hsiung endorses New Power Party". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- Hsiao, Alison (2 December 2015). "Legislative reform should start in legislature: Ker". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Lin, Sean (16 January 2016). "ELECTIONS: Reconciliation a must for social harmony, Ko says". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (19 January 2016). "Ex-Sunflower movement leader Chen quits NPP". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (9 January 2016). "ELECTIONS: Sunflower leaders endorse party's election alliance". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (1 December 2015). "NPP calls for meaningful reform of negotiations". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (5 November 2015). "Third-force parties rally against Ma-Xi meeting". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (10 November 2015). "MA-XI MEETING: DPP has failed as watchdog, new alliance says". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (17 January 2016). "ELECTIONS: New Power Party wins five legislative seats". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Hsiao, Alison (3 February 2016). "NPP caucus organizes teams to push for change". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Gerber, Abraham (10 April 2016). "NPP seeks to sink roots with Hsinchu office". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Maxon, Ann (25 January 2019). "NPP postpones poll as Freddy Lim says he will not run". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Peng, Wan-hsin (16 February 2019). "NPP elects lawyer Chiu Hsien-chih as chairman". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Wang, Yang-yu; Kao, Evelyn (12 August 2019). "NPP chairman announces resignation (update)". Central News Agency. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- Maxon, Ann (13 August 2019). "Chiu steps down as NPP roiled by internal conflict". Taipei Times. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
- DeAeth, Duncan (12 August 2019). "Chairman of Taiwan's New Power Party resigns". Taiwan News. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- Maxon, Ann (14 August 2019). "Hung Tzu-yung to leave NPP over internal row". Taipei Times. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- Maxon, Ann (21 August 2019). "Not interested in returning to be NPP chair: Chiu". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- Kuo, Chien-shen; Fan, Cheng-hsiang; Mazzetta, Matthew (13 November 2019). "2020 Elections: New Power Party lists 12 at-large legislator nominees". Central News Agency. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- Lee, I-chia (12 January 2020). "2020 Elections: Taiwan People's Party tops among 'third force' parties". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- Lin, Sean (15 February 2020). "Friday set for new legislative session". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2020.