卡特(Jimmy Carter)出訪哈馬斯(Hamas)組織是否違反羅根法案
哈馬斯(Hamas)組織基本上被美國布希政府歸類為恐怖組織之ㄧ環，而不予接觸，然而前美國前總統卡特(Jimmy Carter)抱持著較為務實的態度，卡特認為美國、以色列和歐盟將哈馬斯列入“恐怖組織”名單是“沒有用的”，並且於2008年4月間出訪中東，試圖說服哈馬斯(Hamas)組織領導人梅沙爾( Khaled Meshaal )與巴勒斯坦領導人阿巴斯( Mahmoud Abbas )以及以色列進行和平談判，雖然卡特此行沒有獲得太大的進展，然而哈馬斯( Hamas )組織於2008.4.21(周一)已經表示，將接受巴勒斯坦在1967年中東戰爭時被以色列占領的土地上建國，但不準備承認以色列，立場明顯有所軟化。
然而，美國布希政府一直拒絕與哈馬斯接觸（see Bush Administration Foreign Policy），且不支持卡特的行動。於是美國政府針對這件事情首先在2008年4月24日回應稱沒有看到哈馬斯的態度有什麼改變。原本以為美國政府表表態，這件事情也就這樣算了，想不到，同日美國NPR新聞出現一則抬頭為Jimmy Carter Gives Logan Act a Boost這樣的標語，按指卡特有違反羅根法案之嫌。
羅根法案（The Logan Act）
美國在1799年訂定「羅根法案」，禁止任何人在未經政府授權下，以私人身分與外國政府進行任何形式的接觸互動，影響美國與外國政府之間爭議的處理。
羅根（George Logan）是一名醫師，曾任美國賓州州議員，在1798年美法關係緊張之際，以個人身分前往法國巴黎與法國政府進行接觸，提出美、法兩國改善緊繃關係之建議，並採取一些改善兩國關係之措施，例如解除貿易禁運、釋放遭法國船艦俘虜的美國水手等。而當時法國早也想結束與美國的敵對關係，才能專心應付其他歐洲國家。然而，羅根在沒有美國政府授權下，自行與法國商談和解，返國後深受民主共和黨稱許，但卻引發敵對之聯邦黨強烈不滿，因此以聯邦黨為多數的國會遂通過此一「羅根法案」。
「羅根法案」通過至今已二百多年，並未有人遭到判刑或處罰。多半為反對黨引用「羅根法案」來批評對手政黨之用，例如，南西.波洛西(Nancy Pelosi)前往敘利亞(Syria)時，也曾經被布希政府提出質疑，以達到政治效應。
資料來源：
1.路透社大馬士革，2008.4.21記者Khaled Yacoub Oweis, 2008.4.22，翻譯：余樂 發稿：程芳，哈馬斯稱將接受巴勒斯坦建國 仍不承認以色列。
2.高天生，【媒體萬箭穿心】阿扁「草船借箭」 強推國代選舉，新台灣新聞週刊，2005/05/12 第477期。
3.Daniel Schorr, Jimmy Carter Gives Logan Act a Boost, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89922213,2008.4.28viewed.
4.Wikipedia-, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan_Act
Hamas: see Hamas Wikipedia
5.Text of the Logan Act
§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.
Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
By Wan-Li Yang 2008.4.28
2008年4月27日 星期日
2008年4月16日 星期三
CPS announces the roll out of two key justice initiatives
CPS announces the roll out of two key justice initiatives
英國皇家檢察署於本月一日宣布將全面實施兩項關鍵性措施( CPS announces the roll out of two key justice initiatives)1 April 2008
英國皇家檢察署(CPS)於2008年4月1日正式宣布將在England以及威爾斯( Wales)地區全面實施兩項關鍵性措施,一為偵查中對證人之訊問(Pre-trial Interview),另一為類似附條件式緩起訴處分,簡稱為附條件式處遇( Conditional Cautions). 就偵查中對證人之訊問此一新措施,可使檢察官在案件進入法院之前,得以訊問證人.而在附條件處遇計畫下,較輕微的犯罪可因此免於進入法院(免於起訴)。
附條件式處遇( Conditional Cautions)主要目的在於改善對被害人的補償、降低再犯率，以及避免輕罪案件進入法院。Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald QC表示，因為附條件式的處遇目標在於針對適合的案件做出便捷且快速的決定，並藉諮詢被害人意見，將被害人的意見納入處遇計畫中而做出一些適合的"條件"，這樣的措施，使得附條件式處遇變得更加有意義。
附條件式處遇(Conditional Cautions)適用於非常廣泛的案件中，包括毀損案件、竊盜案件以及一些常見的傷害案件。大多的案件所附的條件都為要求被告支付被害人一定的賠償金額，另外有些條件還包括向被害人道歉，或者參加一些戒毒措施等。當然，如果被告沒有完成這些條件，就可能會被以原來所犯之罪名起訴。
The use of conditional cautions is aimed at improving victim satisfaction, reducing re-offending and diverting low-level offenders away from the courts.
Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald QC said: "Conditional cautions make sense. They are intended to be a swift and speedy resolution to appropriate cases, following a consultation with the victim and taking into account their views when considering suitable cautions."
Conditional cautions are used in a wide range of cases, including criminal damage, theft and common assault. Most conditions require the offender to pay compensation. Other conditions have included writing a letter of apology to the victim and taking part in a drug programme. If offenders do not comply with the conditions, they may be prosecuted for the original offence.
編註:英國的此項新措施與台灣的緩起訴(Suspended Prosecution )較為不同的地方是，第一，台灣的緩起訴設定有1至3年的期間。第二，再緩起訴期間再犯罪的話，仍會被撤銷緩起訴，而原犯之罪，以及再犯之罪均會被提起公訴。所以，並非被告一滿足緩起訴條件，就可以立即換得一個不進入法院的效果，而必須等到"觀察期"期滿，沒有再犯情形，才可以最終獲得一個全然的緩起訴結果。
Notes to Editors
Pre-trial witness interviews
1、The initial four pilot areas were Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.
2、The evaluation report was published today and is available on our website in the Victims and Witnesses section - view Pre-trial witness interviews - Interviewing prosecution witnesses
Conditional Cautions (data from CPS Management Information Service as at February 2008)
3、The scheme was implemented by joint CPS/ACPO teams at local and national levels.
4、A total of 6,397 conditional cautions have been issued since the scheme began rolling out in April 2006.
5、The majority of conditions, just under 60%, were for compensation to victims. The second most common condition was a letter of apology in 15% of cases followed by participation in a drug intervention programme in just over 10% of cases.
6、Summary criminal or malicious damage offences, where the value of the damage is less than £500, make up the majority of cases where a conditional caution is used (47%) followed by common assault (11.7%) of cases.
7、A conditional caution has the effect of suspending the prosecution whilst the offender complies with appropriate conditions. If they successfully complete the conditions the caution stands and no action is taken over the prosecution, however if they do not comply the original prosecution goes ahead and the caution is of no effect.
8、Conditional cautions may only be used for a limited range of offences as specified by the DPP and only when the offender admits the offence and is willing to comply with certain conditions.
9、The Prosecutor has to be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to charge the offence, that it is in the public interest to proceed by way of a conditional caution and that the case is appropriate for a conditional cautioning.
10、Conditional Cautions can work well alongside community and neighbourhood policing schemes and help to increase community and victim confidence in achieving a just and appropriate outcome quickly. Conditions can be:
Reparative (such as writing a letter of apology, repairing damage, paying compensation or undertaking unpaid work in the community if public or the wider community are the victims, or mediation between the offender and the victim)
Rehabilitative (attendance at drug or alcohol awareness session in an effort to halt the causes of the offending behaviour)
Restrictive (not to approach a particular area or person)
11、The Crown Prosecution Service is the Government Department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. It is responsible for:
Advising the police and reviewing the evidence on cases for possible prosecution;
Deciding the charge where the decision is to prosecute;
Preparing cases for court;
Presentation of cases at court;
The CPS consists of 42 Areas in total, each headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP). A telephone service, CPS Direct, provides out-of-hours advice and decisions to police officers across England and Wales. The CPS employs around 8,400 people and prosecuted 1,091,250 cases with an overall conviction rate of 83.7% in 2006-2007. Further information can be found on this website.
Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8127.
http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/122_08.html last visited 2007.4.12
By Wan-Li Yang 2008.4.17
英國皇家檢察署於本月一日宣布將全面實施兩項關鍵性措施( CPS announces the roll out of two key justice initiatives)1 April 2008
英國皇家檢察署(CPS)於2008年4月1日正式宣布將在England以及威爾斯( Wales)地區全面實施兩項關鍵性措施,一為偵查中對證人之訊問(Pre-trial Interview),另一為類似附條件式緩起訴處分,簡稱為附條件式處遇( Conditional Cautions). 就偵查中對證人之訊問此一新措施,可使檢察官在案件進入法院之前,得以訊問證人.而在附條件處遇計畫下,較輕微的犯罪可因此免於進入法院(免於起訴)。
附條件式處遇( Conditional Cautions)主要目的在於改善對被害人的補償、降低再犯率，以及避免輕罪案件進入法院。Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald QC表示，因為附條件式的處遇目標在於針對適合的案件做出便捷且快速的決定，並藉諮詢被害人意見，將被害人的意見納入處遇計畫中而做出一些適合的"條件"，這樣的措施，使得附條件式處遇變得更加有意義。
附條件式處遇(Conditional Cautions)適用於非常廣泛的案件中，包括毀損案件、竊盜案件以及一些常見的傷害案件。大多的案件所附的條件都為要求被告支付被害人一定的賠償金額，另外有些條件還包括向被害人道歉，或者參加一些戒毒措施等。當然，如果被告沒有完成這些條件，就可能會被以原來所犯之罪名起訴。
The use of conditional cautions is aimed at improving victim satisfaction, reducing re-offending and diverting low-level offenders away from the courts.
Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald QC said: "Conditional cautions make sense. They are intended to be a swift and speedy resolution to appropriate cases, following a consultation with the victim and taking into account their views when considering suitable cautions."
Conditional cautions are used in a wide range of cases, including criminal damage, theft and common assault. Most conditions require the offender to pay compensation. Other conditions have included writing a letter of apology to the victim and taking part in a drug programme. If offenders do not comply with the conditions, they may be prosecuted for the original offence.
編註:英國的此項新措施與台灣的緩起訴(Suspended Prosecution )較為不同的地方是，第一，台灣的緩起訴設定有1至3年的期間。第二，再緩起訴期間再犯罪的話，仍會被撤銷緩起訴，而原犯之罪，以及再犯之罪均會被提起公訴。所以，並非被告一滿足緩起訴條件，就可以立即換得一個不進入法院的效果，而必須等到"觀察期"期滿，沒有再犯情形，才可以最終獲得一個全然的緩起訴結果。
Notes to Editors
Pre-trial witness interviews
1、The initial four pilot areas were Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.
2、The evaluation report was published today and is available on our website in the Victims and Witnesses section - view Pre-trial witness interviews - Interviewing prosecution witnesses
Conditional Cautions (data from CPS Management Information Service as at February 2008)
3、The scheme was implemented by joint CPS/ACPO teams at local and national levels.
4、A total of 6,397 conditional cautions have been issued since the scheme began rolling out in April 2006.
5、The majority of conditions, just under 60%, were for compensation to victims. The second most common condition was a letter of apology in 15% of cases followed by participation in a drug intervention programme in just over 10% of cases.
6、Summary criminal or malicious damage offences, where the value of the damage is less than £500, make up the majority of cases where a conditional caution is used (47%) followed by common assault (11.7%) of cases.
7、A conditional caution has the effect of suspending the prosecution whilst the offender complies with appropriate conditions. If they successfully complete the conditions the caution stands and no action is taken over the prosecution, however if they do not comply the original prosecution goes ahead and the caution is of no effect.
8、Conditional cautions may only be used for a limited range of offences as specified by the DPP and only when the offender admits the offence and is willing to comply with certain conditions.
9、The Prosecutor has to be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to charge the offence, that it is in the public interest to proceed by way of a conditional caution and that the case is appropriate for a conditional cautioning.
10、Conditional Cautions can work well alongside community and neighbourhood policing schemes and help to increase community and victim confidence in achieving a just and appropriate outcome quickly. Conditions can be:
Reparative (such as writing a letter of apology, repairing damage, paying compensation or undertaking unpaid work in the community if public or the wider community are the victims, or mediation between the offender and the victim)
Rehabilitative (attendance at drug or alcohol awareness session in an effort to halt the causes of the offending behaviour)
Restrictive (not to approach a particular area or person)
11、The Crown Prosecution Service is the Government Department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. It is responsible for:
Advising the police and reviewing the evidence on cases for possible prosecution;
Deciding the charge where the decision is to prosecute;
Preparing cases for court;
Presentation of cases at court;
The CPS consists of 42 Areas in total, each headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP). A telephone service, CPS Direct, provides out-of-hours advice and decisions to police officers across England and Wales. The CPS employs around 8,400 people and prosecuted 1,091,250 cases with an overall conviction rate of 83.7% in 2006-2007. Further information can be found on this website.
Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8127.
http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/122_08.html last visited 2007.4.12
By Wan-Li Yang 2008.4.17
2008年4月11日 星期五
CPS announces the roll out of two key justice initiatives
英國皇家檢察署於本月一日宣布將全面實施兩項關鍵性措施( CPS announces the roll out of two key justice initiatives)
1 April 2008
英國皇家檢察署(CPS)於2008年4月1日正式宣布將在England以及威爾斯( Wales)地區全面實施兩項關鍵性措施，一為偵查中對證人之訊問(Pre-trial Interview)，另一為類似附條件式緩起訴處分，簡稱為附條件式處遇( Conditional Caution)，就偵查中對證人之訊問此一新措施，可使檢察官在案件進入法院之前，得以訊問證人。而在附條件處遇計畫下，較輕微的犯罪可因此免於進入法院(免於起訴)。
The national roll-out of two new initiatives - pre-trial interviews with witnesses and conditional cautions - has now been completed across England and Wales. The pre-trial witness initiative enables prosecutors to interview witnesses before a trial begins and under the conditional cautioning scheme, low-level criminal cases can be diverted away from court.
英國皇家檢察署檢察長(The Director of Public Prosecutions) Ken Macdonald QC 表示，根據以往英國司法之制度,無論任何案件，(偵查中)檢察官是無法訊問證人的，是以，這次的偵查中訊問證人此一新的措施，使英國傳統的司法制度做了一些基本上的改變。 因此Ken Macdonald QC表示此項新措施將成為檢察官非常重要的關鍵偵查工具，得使檢察官就手上的刑事案件可以做出更加適切的決定，也因此可以更加確保檢察官起訴的是更加正確的對象以及更加精確的罪名。
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC said, "Pre-trial witness interviews represent a fundamental change to our legal system as prosecutors were not allowed to interview witnesses in any cases in England and Wales before these CPS pilots began. I consider witness interviews to be an essential tool to help prosecutors to make better informed decisions about criminal cases so that the right person is brought before the right court for the right offence."
偵查中訊問證人此一偵查技巧主要可以用以評價證人證詞之可信性，並幫助檢察官釐整複雜之證據，此外檢察官也可以藉此機會向證人解釋案件進入法院後的司法程序。偵查中詢問證人此一措施一開始是在2006年1月起先在四個CPS轄區中( Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria. )試行，而今年(2008)CPS已經決定將此一措施施行於全England 以及 Wales地區。
英國皇家檢察署乃是直到20世紀的80年代才成立，在此之前，英國均由警察在進行偵查以及決定是否將案件送入審判系統，是以，英國皇家檢察署成立後，雖然將一些重要案件攬在皇家檢察署，並由皇家檢察官決定是否起訴，然則，一如美國康州州檢察官制度，檢察官並沒有所謂正式的在偵查中訊問證人這樣的形式存在。在康州，檢察官在起訴案件前後當然可以訪談，但是與台灣非常不同的是，這樣的訪談非常簡單，無筆錄、錄音形式，更無地點的限制，所以在康州的New Haven州檢察官辦公室中，雖然有10餘位助理檢察官，但是整個辦公室僅有一位正式的Clerk，並無類似台灣的書記官，也就是每一位助理檢察官並沒有配置書記官的狀況。
而我國的檢察官，因為有起訴、不起訴、職權處分以及緩起訴等決定權，是以，他兼具了康州助理檢察官以及預審法官(Pretrial Judge)的特性，必須開庭，行一定形式的訊問，作證正式筆錄，來決定案件是否適宜為緩起訴等。因此，就英國皇家檢察署而言，偵查中訊問證人的這項措施，確實是大大的融合了英美檢察制度以及歐洲大陸法檢察制度的重要一步。
The evaluation report was published today and is available on our website in the Victims and Witnesses section - view Pre-trial witness interviews - Interviewing prosecution witnesses
The Crown Prosecution Service is the Government Department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. It is responsible for:
Advising the police and reviewing the evidence on cases for possible prosecution;
Deciding the charge where the decision is to prosecute;
Preparing cases for court;
Presentation of cases at court;
The CPS consists of 42 Areas in total, each headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP). A telephone service, CPS Direct, provides out-of-hours advice and decisions to police officers across England and Wales. The CPS employs around 8,400 people and prosecuted 1,091,250 cases with an overall conviction rate of 83.7% in 2006-2007. Further information can be found on this website.
Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8127.
資料來源:http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/122_08.html last visited 2007.4.12
BY WAN-LI YANG 2007.4.12
1 April 2008
英國皇家檢察署(CPS)於2008年4月1日正式宣布將在England以及威爾斯( Wales)地區全面實施兩項關鍵性措施，一為偵查中對證人之訊問(Pre-trial Interview)，另一為類似附條件式緩起訴處分，簡稱為附條件式處遇( Conditional Caution)，就偵查中對證人之訊問此一新措施，可使檢察官在案件進入法院之前，得以訊問證人。而在附條件處遇計畫下，較輕微的犯罪可因此免於進入法院(免於起訴)。
The national roll-out of two new initiatives - pre-trial interviews with witnesses and conditional cautions - has now been completed across England and Wales. The pre-trial witness initiative enables prosecutors to interview witnesses before a trial begins and under the conditional cautioning scheme, low-level criminal cases can be diverted away from court.
英國皇家檢察署檢察長(The Director of Public Prosecutions) Ken Macdonald QC 表示，根據以往英國司法之制度,無論任何案件，(偵查中)檢察官是無法訊問證人的，是以，這次的偵查中訊問證人此一新的措施，使英國傳統的司法制度做了一些基本上的改變。 因此Ken Macdonald QC表示此項新措施將成為檢察官非常重要的關鍵偵查工具，得使檢察官就手上的刑事案件可以做出更加適切的決定，也因此可以更加確保檢察官起訴的是更加正確的對象以及更加精確的罪名。
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC said, "Pre-trial witness interviews represent a fundamental change to our legal system as prosecutors were not allowed to interview witnesses in any cases in England and Wales before these CPS pilots began. I consider witness interviews to be an essential tool to help prosecutors to make better informed decisions about criminal cases so that the right person is brought before the right court for the right offence."
偵查中訊問證人此一偵查技巧主要可以用以評價證人證詞之可信性，並幫助檢察官釐整複雜之證據，此外檢察官也可以藉此機會向證人解釋案件進入法院後的司法程序。偵查中詢問證人此一措施一開始是在2006年1月起先在四個CPS轄區中( Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria. )試行，而今年(2008)CPS已經決定將此一措施施行於全England 以及 Wales地區。
英國皇家檢察署乃是直到20世紀的80年代才成立，在此之前，英國均由警察在進行偵查以及決定是否將案件送入審判系統，是以，英國皇家檢察署成立後，雖然將一些重要案件攬在皇家檢察署，並由皇家檢察官決定是否起訴，然則，一如美國康州州檢察官制度，檢察官並沒有所謂正式的在偵查中訊問證人這樣的形式存在。在康州，檢察官在起訴案件前後當然可以訪談，但是與台灣非常不同的是，這樣的訪談非常簡單，無筆錄、錄音形式，更無地點的限制，所以在康州的New Haven州檢察官辦公室中，雖然有10餘位助理檢察官，但是整個辦公室僅有一位正式的Clerk，並無類似台灣的書記官，也就是每一位助理檢察官並沒有配置書記官的狀況。
而我國的檢察官，因為有起訴、不起訴、職權處分以及緩起訴等決定權，是以，他兼具了康州助理檢察官以及預審法官(Pretrial Judge)的特性，必須開庭，行一定形式的訊問，作證正式筆錄，來決定案件是否適宜為緩起訴等。因此，就英國皇家檢察署而言，偵查中訊問證人的這項措施，確實是大大的融合了英美檢察制度以及歐洲大陸法檢察制度的重要一步。
The evaluation report was published today and is available on our website in the Victims and Witnesses section - view Pre-trial witness interviews - Interviewing prosecution witnesses
The Crown Prosecution Service is the Government Department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. It is responsible for:
Advising the police and reviewing the evidence on cases for possible prosecution;
Deciding the charge where the decision is to prosecute;
Preparing cases for court;
Presentation of cases at court;
The CPS consists of 42 Areas in total, each headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP). A telephone service, CPS Direct, provides out-of-hours advice and decisions to police officers across England and Wales. The CPS employs around 8,400 people and prosecuted 1,091,250 cases with an overall conviction rate of 83.7% in 2006-2007. Further information can be found on this website.
Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8127.
資料來源:http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/122_08.html last visited 2007.4.12
BY WAN-LI YANG 2007.4.12
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