Final Ruling from the High Court (2004.09.15)
The Taipei Disctrict Court had ruled in favor of Josephine Ho in June. But the conservative groups immediately urged the prosecutor to file for an appeal, thus moving the case into the High Court. Jo appeared in the High Court on August 6th and September 1 to demonstrate the academic nature of the website and the integrity of her research. The final ruling came on September 15 when the High Court refuted the prosecutor's appeal and affirmed the District Court's not-guilty verdict. The verdict is now final, and freedom of speech and freedom of information are once again affirmed.
The fact that a scholar could be prosecuted for her legal line of work is an alarming sign of a rigidifying society, says Ho after the final verdict.
The finalizing of the not-guilty verdict was widely broadcast, making it an occasion for affirmation of rights to sexual information.
Ho with gender/sexuality activist Wang Ping
Ho with Taiwan local prostitute rights organization (COSWS) activists