When Justice Stops Feeling Abstract

During my internship at the Judicial Reform Foundation in Taiwan, I learned something I had never fully understood before. Justice is not only about laws or verdicts. Sometimes, it is about whether someone is finally heard.

One day, I attended a public event where the Foundation was explaining a case involving false accusation. The goal was simple: to help people understand how easily the justice system can fail, even in a society often praised for its democratic stability. I expected legal explanations. What I did not expect was to hear the person who had been falsely accused stand in front of everyone and speak.

They talked about the loss of reputation, the isolation, and the quiet damage that remained long after the case itself. There was no drama in the way they spoke. Just honesty. Standing there, I realized how different justice looks from the perspective of someone who has lived through its mistakes.

Earlier in my internship, I had assisted with discussions on gender inequality in the justice system. These conversations showed how bias does not always appear loudly. It can exist in procedures, assumptions, and silences. Seeing these issues addressed outside of a courtroom made me understand that reform does not always come from institutions alone, but from people who are willing to question them.

Taiwan is often described as one of the most stable democratic systems in the region. That is what made this experience even more meaningful. If injustice can happen here, then no system is perfect. But what matters is whether a society chooses to listen, reflect, and improve. What stayed with me most was the atmosphere of care. The event was not about blame. It was about responsibility. About acknowledging harm and preventing it from happening again.

This experience changed the way I think about justice. It is not something distant or untouchable. It is fragile. And it depends on people who are willing to speak, to listen, and to care enough to make institutions better.

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Anita Murgulch

Anita Murgulch is a student writer at the Taipei European School with a strong interest in law, international relations, and political thought. She writes on a range of topics, from global issues and youth perspectives to culture and social questions. Alongside her writing, she has gained early exposure to legal and diplomatic environments through internships and research. She is currently developing GYPJN (Global Youth Policy & Justice Network), a youth-led initiative focused on legal literacy and global justice.

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