Second Da-pu Eviction
Event description
The Miaoli County Government implemented the urban planning of the "Hsinchu Science Park Zhunan Base and Surrounding Areas Special Zone" through the "zone expropriation" method. Due to the controversy over the public interest and necessity of this expropriation, it sparked a series of protests from civic groups with nationwide support, drawing attention to the Land Expropriation Act.
Starting in 2013, the focus of the resistance shifted to four households. Residents had filed an application with the Taichung High Administrative Court to suspend the execution, but the court considered that the demolished houses could be restored through "financial compensation" for damages. Therefore, it rejected the application, allowing the original administrative order to continue, causing public outcry and prompting discussions on land expropriation and people's rights.
On July 18, 2013, then Miaoli County Magistrate Liu Cheng-hung took advantage of the protest when the Chang Pharmacy family and protesters were in front of the Presidential Office, stating it was a "heaven-sent opportunity" and forcefully carried out the demolition of Zhang Pharmacy, causing strong controversy. On August 18, the Taiwan Rural Front held a "Demolish Dapu Today, Demolish the Government Tomorrow" evening event and occupied the Ministry of the Interior during the night parade, retreating after one night. On the morning of September 18 of the same year, Chang Sen-wen, the owner of Chang Pharmacy, was found dead in a nearby ditch, likely committed suicide due to excessive grief. After case litigation and related legal amendments, the Da-pu case was acknowledged as unjust in terms of substantive content and administrative procedures. After President Tsai Ing-wen took office, she promised to rebuild on the original site, and the reconstruction of Chang Pharmacy began on July 18, 2018, completed in 2020.
Outcome
The overarching policy for land planning, the Spatial Planning Act, was implemented in 2016. The Da-pu case led to a thorough review and partial amendments to the Land Expropriation Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. Regarding the specific case, on January 3, 2014, the Taichung High Administrative Court ruled in the second instance. The judgment partially favored the claims of the four households, including the Chang Pharmacy, Chu Shu, Huang Fu-ji, and Ke Cheng-fu, and rejected others. On January 28, 2014, the Ministry of the Interior decided not to appeal.
Participating Organizations
Reference books
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