I think those are what they call “household visits”. I thought they had revised that already.
[quote]“The legislature amended the household inspection regulations in the Statute Governing Duties of the Police (警察勤務條例) in a bid to lessen the burden of the police and to avoid violations of human rights,” KMT caucus whip Kuo Su-chun (郭素春) told a press conference.
“However, the NPA is going to resume household inspections soon, although they are now called `home visits,’” she said. “A police officer can visit a family when he is on duty and armed.”
Kuo was referring to the NPA’s draft regulation on “home visits” publicized late last month. The draft was proposed after the legislature abolished the previous 60-year-old household inspection system on June 5.
In the past, the inspection system was often used as an excuse for the police to enter people’s homes and collect information about ordinary people, Vice Minister of the Interior Chien Tai-lang (簡太郎) said during a preliminary review in March.
The June amendment stipulated that the police should carry out visits as a measure to “prevent crime, serve the people and conduct public security investigations.”
The draft regulation of the “home visit” measure states that the police should make visits during the day and when they are on duty, but they should first seek permission from the homeowner.
The draft, however, does not specify the meaning of “on duty,” which prompted the caucus to question whether the police may visit a household when they are on patrol, during which time the police carry guns.
Kuo further questioned whether the new measure was meant as a way to collect information on a family’s political affiliation ahead of the upcoming elections.
The draft regulation stipulates that the police may record the resident’s name, address, occupation, ID number, contact information and “other necessary items needed for the police to execute official business.”
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http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/10/12/2003382759
Another point of view, from a Chen Kung University professor:
[quote]The recent amendment of the Regulations for Home Visits as a Police Duty shows that if Taiwan wants to implement genuine rule of law, it still has a long way to go. Article 6, Section 2 of the regulations on home visits says that if, in case of a home visit, the police do not identify themselves in accordance with the rules, residents have the right to refuse them entrance.
But people always have the right to deny the police entrance to their home.
When they see a rule like that, people start to wonder: Can it be that we cannot refuse the police entrance if they identify themselves in accordance with regulations?
The answer, of course, is no: They still don’t have to let the police in.
Constitutional Interpretation No. 535 of the Council of Grand Justices explains clearly that “the police shall limit checking authority to public transportation, public places or other places where danger exists or may exist according to reasonable and objective judgment.”
When there is no threat or danger, a country that calls itself a human rights-respecting nation, like Taiwan does, cannot allow the police to come into people’s homes while armed.
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http://www.atebe.com.tw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2487&Itemid=137
Unless, of course, we furriners are out of the loop…
