NGO urges judicial leniency in caregiver 'mercy killing' cases

Taipei, Nov. 13 (CNA) The Taiwan Association of Family Caregivers on Wednesday called for new judicial guidelines for cases involving caregivers who kill those under their care, arguing that courts should weigh factors such as mental exhaustion and efforts to seek help before the crime.

The association's plea came as the Taiwan High Court began hearing the appeal of an 80-year-old woman sentenced to two years and six months in prison for killing her paralyzed son after caring for him for 50 years.

According to data from the Taiwan Association of Family Caregivers, there have been 62 similar cases between 2018 and 2024 in Taiwan, in which caregivers killed those under their care due to debilitating mental and physical exhaustion.

In a news release, the association stated that it supported pardoning the 80-year-old woman, given her "long-term self-blame, devotion and despair."

The association also expressed hope that the case would spur new legal guidelines for similar trials, requiring courts to consider a caregiver's mental and physical health, financial situation, and efforts to seek help.

The association noted that a public hearing was held in May 2023 on amending laws to address "long-term care tragedies," referring to domestic violence and murder cases involving caregivers.

At the time, the association proposed creating a legal basis that would make it easier for courts to grant suspended sentences and deferred prosecutions in such cases.

However, the association acknowledged that participating legal professionals were cautious, fearing that such changes might send the wrong message to the public.

Beyond legal reform, the association said it hoped the government would address the shortage of care resources for those with profound disabilities.

Also on Wednesday, Shiu Wen-wei (須文蔚), dean of National Taiwan Normal University's College of Liberal Arts, urged the president to pardon the 80-year-old woman, calling the case a tragedy resulting from the strain of long-term caregiving.

He said the incident was not simply a "murder," but the collapse of a family under the weight of a 50-year caregiving burden.

Shiu said the woman's despair was more than any one person could bear, and reflects a broader social issue that must be addressed, urging the government to establish a stronger safety net to support caregivers in distress.

Asked about the possibility of pardoning the woman, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said Thursday the government will not intervene in individual cases out of respect for judicial independence, and will only deal with the matter after the judicial process is completed.

She added that the government is deeply concerned about the heavy burden faced by socially disadvantaged families and will continue to strengthen the long-term care support network to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.