Fridae

Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua says Taiwan’s National Police Agency is reviewing the police search of Commander D, a gay bar in Ximending.

In a phone interview published by NOWnews on 22 October, Lin said the case was with the agency’s inspectorate. She wanted appropriate findings made public once the report was completed, provided disclosure did not breach investigation confidentiality.

The comments follow calls from ten civil-rights organisations for scrutiny beyond Taipei police’s earlier disciplinary action. In their 20 October statement, the groups asked the Interior Ministry to have the National Police Agency investigate the operation and the handling of complaints. They also sought scrutiny by the Control Yuan, Taiwan’s government oversight body. Fridae reported those requests earlier this week.

Lin chaired a special city LGBT liaison meeting on 20 October. In another report from the interview, NOWnews said she had called for a review of police procedures and guidance to help people understand their rights during searches and how to complain afterwards. She acknowledged that ordinary citizens may not know their legal rights when confronted by police. City research, civil-affairs and police officials would work on that guidance, she said.