JOINT DECLARATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG ——附加英文版
the Government of the People's Republic of China,Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
JOINT DECLARATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG
WHOLE DOCUMENT
Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
the Government of the People's Republic of China have reviewed
with
sfaction the friendly relations existing between the two
Governments
peoples in recent years and agreed that a proper negotiated
settlement
he question of Hong Kong, which is left over from the past, is
con-
ve to the maintenance of the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong
and
he further strengthening and development of the relations between
the
countries on a new basis. To this end, they have, after talks
between
delegations of the two Governments, agreed to declare as follows:
he Government of the People's Republic of China declares
that to
ver the Hong Kong area (including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and
the
Territories, hereinafter referred to as Hong Kong) is the
common
ration of the entire Chinese people, and that it has decided to
resume
exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong with effect from 1 July
1997.
he Government of the United Kingdom declares that it will restore
Hong
to the People's Republic of China with effect from 1 July 1997.
he Government of the People's Republic of China declares
that the
c policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong
are
ollows:
Upholding national unity and territorial integrity and taking
account
he history of Hong Kong and its realities, the People's
Republic of
a has decided to establish, in accordance with the
provisions of
cle 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, a
Hong
Special Administrative Region upon resuming the
exercise of
reignty over Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be directly
under the
ority of the Central People's Government of the People's
Republic of
a. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will enjoy
a high
ee of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs which are
the
onsibilities of the Central People's Government.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be
vested with
utive, legislative and independent judicial power, including
that of
l adjudication. The laws currently in force in Hong Kong will
remain
cally unchanged.
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
will be
osed of local inhabitants. The chief executive will be
appointed by
Central People's Government on the basis of the results of
elections
onsultations to be held locally. Principal officials will be
nominated
he chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
for
intment by the Central People's Government. Chinese and
foreign
onals previously working in the public and police services
in the
rnment departments of Hong Kong may remain in employment. British
and
r foreign nationals may also be employed to serve as advisers or
hold
ain public posts in government departments of the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region.
The current social and economic systems in Hong Kong will
remain
anged, and so will the life-style. Rights and freedoms,
including
e of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of
association,
ravel, of movement, of correspondence, of strike, of
choice of
pation, of academic research and of religious belief will be
ensured
aw in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Private
property,
rship of enterprises, legitimate right of inheritance and
foreign
stment will be protected by law.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will retain the
status of
ee port and a separate customs territory.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will retain the
status of
nternational financial centre, and its markets for foreign
exchange,
, securities and futures will continue. There will be free
flow of
tal. The Hong Kong dollar will continue to circulate and remain
freely
ertible.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will have
independent
nces. The Central People's Government will not levy taxes on the
Hong
Special Administrative Region.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may establish
mutually
ficial economic relations with the United Kingdom and other
countries,
e economic interests in Hong Kong will be given due regard.
Using the name of "Hong Kong, China", the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region may on its own maintain and develop
economic and
ural relations and conclude relevant agreements with states,
regions
relevant international organizations. The Government of the
Hong Kong
ial Administrative Region may on its own issue travel
documents for
y into and exit from Hong Kong.
The maintenance of public order in the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region will be the responsibility of the Government
of the
Kong Special Administrative Region.
The above-stated basic policies of the People's Republic of
China
rding Hong Kong and the elaboration of them in Annex I to this
Joint
aration will be stipulated, in a Basic Law of the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region of the People's Republic of China, by the
National
le's Congress of the People's Republic of China, and they will
remain
anged for 50 years.
he Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the
People's
blic of China declare that, during the transitional period
between the
of the entry into force of this Joint Declaration and 30 June
1997,
Government of the United Kingdom will be responsible
for the
nistration of Hong Kong with the object of maintaining and
preserving
economic prosperity and social stability; and that the
Government of
People's Republic of China will give its cooperation
in this
ection.
he Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the
People's
blic of China declare that, in order to ensure a smooth
transfer of
rnment in 1997, and with a view to the effective
implementation of
Joint Declaration, a Sino-British Joint Liaison Group will be set
up
this Joint Declaration enters into force; and that it
will be
blished and will function in accordance with the provisions of
Annex
o this Joint Declaration.
he Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the
People's
blic of China declare that land leases in Hong Kong and other
related
ers will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Annex
III
his Joint Declaration.
he Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the
People's
blic of China agree to implement the preceding declarations
and the
xes to this Joint Declaration.
his Joint Declaration is subject to ratification and shall enter
into
e on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification,
which
l take place in Beijing before 30 June 1985. This Joint
Declaration
its Annexes shall be equally binding. Done in duplicate at
Beijing on
ecember 1984 in the English and Chinese languages, both texts
being
lly authentic.
the For the
rnment of the United Kingdom Government of the
reat Britain and Northern Ireland People's Republic of China
rate Thatcher Zhao Ziyang
ANNEX I: ELABORATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA OF ITS BASIC POLICIES REGARDING HONG KONG
Government of the People's Republic of China elaborates the
basic
cies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong as set
out
aragraph 3 of the Joint Declaration of the Government of the
United
dom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of
the
le's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong as follows:
Constitution of the People's Republic of China stipulates in
Article
hat "the state may establish special administrative
regions when
ssary. The systems to be instituted in special administrative
regions
l be prescribed by laws enacted by the National People's
Congress in
light of the specific conditions." In accordance with this
Article,
People's Republic of China shall, upon the resumption of the
exercise
overeignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997, establish the Hong
Kong
ial Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
The
onal People's Congress of the People's Republic of China shall
enact
promulgate a Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region
he People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the
Basic
in accordance with the Constitution of the People's
Republic of
a, stipulating that after the establishment of the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region the socialist system and socialist policies
shall
be practised in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and
that
Kong's previous capitalist system and life-style shall
remain
anged for 50 years.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be directly
under the
ority of the Central People's Government of the People's
Republic of
a and shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy. Except for foreign
and
nce affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central
People's
rnment, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be
vested
executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including
that
inal adjudication. The Central People's Government shall
authorise the
Kong Special Administrative Region to conduct on its own
those
rnal affairs specified in Section XI of this Annex.
government and legislature of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative
on shall be composed of local inhabitants. The chief executive
of the
Kong Special Administrative Region shall be selected by
election or
ugh consultations held locally and be appointed by the
Central
le's Government. Principal officials (equivalent to Secretaries)
shall
nominated by the chief executive of the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region and appointed by the Central People's
Government.
legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be
tituted by elections. The executive authorities shall abide by
the law
shall be accountable to the legislature.
ddition to Chinese, English may also be used in organs of
government
in the courts in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
t from displaying the national flag and national emblem
of the
le's Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region
use a regional flag and emblem of its own.
r the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region,
laws previously in force in Hong Kong (i. e. the common law, rules
of
ty, ordinances, subordinate legislation and customary law)
shall be
tained, save for any that contravene the Basic Law and subject
to any
dment by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region legislature.
The
slative power of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be
ed in the Legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region.
legislature may on its own authority enact laws in accordance with
the
isions of the Basic Law and legal procedures, and report them to
the
ding Committee of the National People's Congress for the record.
Laws
ted by the legislature which are in accordance with the Basic Law
and
l procedures shall be regarded as valid.
laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be the
Basic
and the laws previously in force in Hong Kong and laws enacted
by the
Kong Special Administrative Region legislature as above.
r the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region,
judicial system previously practised in Hong Kong shall be
maintained
pt for those changes consequent upon the vesting in the courts
of the
Kong Special Administrative Region of the power of
final
dication.
cial power in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be
ed in the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The
ts shall exercise judicial power independently and free
from any
rference. Members of the judiciary shall be immune from legal
action
espect of their judicial functions. The courts shall decide
cases in
rdance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region
may refer to precedents in other common law jurisdictions.
Judges of
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region courts shall be
appointed by
chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
acting
accordance with the recommendation of an independent
commission
osed of local judges, persons from the legal profession and
other
ent persons. Judges shall be chosen by reference to their
judicial
ities and may be recruited from other common law
jurisdictions. A
e may only be removed for inability to discharge the functions
of his
ce, or for misbehaviour, by the chief executive of the
Hong Kong
ial Administrative Region acting in accordance with the
recommendation
tribunal appointed by the chief judge of the court of final
appeal,
isting of not fewer than three local judges.
Additionally, the
intment or removal of principal judges (i. e. those of the
highest
) shall be made by the chief executive with the endorsement of
the
Kong Special Administrative Region legislature and reported
to the
ding Committee of the National People's Congress for the record.
The
em of appointment and removal of judicial officers other than
judges
l be maintained.
power of final judgment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region
l be vested in the court of final appeal in the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region, which may as required invite judges from
other
on law jurisdictions to sit on the court of final appeal.
osecuting authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region
l control criminal prosecutions free from any interference.
he basis of the system previously operating in Hong Kong, the
Hong
Special Administrative Region Government shall on its
own make
ision for local lawyers and lawyers from outside the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region to work and practise in the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region.
Central People's Government shall assist or authorise the Hong
Kong
ial Administrative Region Government to make appropriate
arrangements
reciprocal juridical assistance with foreign states.
r the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region,
ic servants previously serving in Hong Kong in all
government
rtment, including the police department, and members of the
judiciary
all remain in employment and continue their service
with pay,
wances, benefits and conditions of service no less
favourable than
re. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government
shall pay
uch persons who retire or complete their contracts, as well
as to
e who have retired before 1 July 1997, or to their dependants,
all
ions, gratuities, allowances and benefits due to them on terms
no less
urable than before, and irrespective of their nationality or
place of
dence.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government may employ
British
other foreign nationals previously serving in the public
service in
Kong, and may recruit British and other foreign nationals
holding
anent identity cards of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region to
e as public servants at all levels, except as heads
of major
rnment departments (corresponding to branches or
departments at
etary level) including the police department, and as deputy
heads of
of those departments. The Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region
rnment may also employ British and other foreign nationals as
advisers
overnment departments and, when there is a need, may recruit
qualified
idates from outside the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region to
essional and technical posts in government departments,
The above
l be employed only in their individual capacities and, like
other
ic servants, shall be responsible to the Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region Government.
appointment and promotion of public servants shall be on the basis
of
ifications, experience and ability. Hong Kong's previous
system of
uitment, employment, assessment, discipline, training and
management
the public service (including special bodies for appointment, pay
and
itions of service) shall, save for any provisions providing
privileged
tment for foreign nationals, be maintained.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall deal on its own
with
ncial matters, including disposing of its financial
resources and
ing up its budgets and its final accounts. The Hong Kong
Special
nistrative Region shall report its budgets and final accounts to
the
ral People's Government for the record. The Central
People's
rnment shall not levy taxes on the Hong Kong Special
Administrative
on. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
use its
ncial revenues exclusively for its own purposes and they shall
not be
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对伪证罪的分析与认定
郭辉
如何确定伪证罪,是司法实践中一大难题。根据1997年新刑法实施以来的经验总结和实际情况,笔者以为在兼顾公正与效率情况下,应从立法上进一步对伪证罪予以明确、细化和完善。
犯罪嫌疑人甲是一个国有公司的经理,他利用职权将9000元公款据为已有。在检察机关讯问过程中,甲辩称其将9000元作1997年年终奖金,在副经理、司机及其本人三人中分了。副经理及司机表示在1997年年终并没有收取过年终奖金。根据副经理、司机的证词和其他相关证据,检察机关以贪污罪将甲移送起诉。在起诉过程中,副经理和司机在律师和起诉部门取证中表示:甲将该9000元公款作1997年年终奖金在三人中分配,副经理和司机从中分得3500元和1700元。检察机关再次取证中,副经理承认自己在侦查过程中所说的是实话,不过考虑到甲可怜,就为其作了伪证。而司机则外逃。基于这份证词和其他相关证据,法院一审以贪污罪对甲作了有罪判决。甲不服上诉,在二审过程中,副经理再次向律师、法院作证称:其知道甲将9000元公款在三人中分配一事,并称自己分得3000元。检察机关又向副经理取证,副经理再次表示自己作了伪证,而作伪证的原因是因为自己同情甲。
针对这个案例,我们提出以下三个亟待解决的问题:一是如果副经理坚持其伪证行为,司法机关能否以伪证罪追究其刑事责任?二是如果副经理知道司机的下落,但在司法机关取证时谎称不知道,那么这种行为会构成伪证罪吗?三是如果副经理在司法机关取证中保持沉默,我们应当如何认定其行为?
一、副经理伪证行为不会构成犯罪
(一)副经理伪证行为在司法实践中的认定。针对第一个问题,司法实践所能给出的答复是:如果副经理坚持其伪证行为,那么司法机关将无法追究其刑事责任。
刑法第三百零五条规定:在刑事诉讼中,证人、鉴定人、翻译人,对与案件有重要关系的情节,故意作虚假证明、鉴定、记录、翻译,意图陷害他人或者隐匿罪证的,处三年以下有期徒刑或者拘役;情节严重的,处三年以上七年以下有期徒刑。从伪证罪的规定可以看出,证人构成伪证罪有两种情况:一是主观上意图陷害他人,客观上故意作虚假证明;二是主观上意图隐匿罪证,客观上故意作虚假证明。那么,我们从本案的两个阶段来分析副经理的行为是否会构成犯罪。
在副经理第一次作伪证时,甲正处于起诉阶段。假设副经理隐匿甲罪证的行为得逞,甲将极有可能因无罪而免诉。在这种情况下,甲既然“无罪”,副经理当然不会存在“隐匿罪证”的行为,从而司法机关不可能以伪证罪第二种情况来对副经理立案侦查;对伪证罪第一种情况而言,副经理会有许多理由来说明其在侦查阶段的证词不会是“意图陷害”甲,甲也会证明副经理不会“意图陷害”他。这样,司法机关将不可能以伪证罪第一种情况来追究副经理的法律责任。所以,在副经理第一次作伪证时,如果检察机关不能对其形成突破,那么,在没有其他证据的情况下,甲会“无罪”,而副经理不会受到法律的追究。在副经理第二次作伪证时,甲已经一审宣判有罪并判刑,该案正处于二审期间。假设副经理的伪证行为得逞且其一直坚持其伪证证词,那么,在没有其他证据情况下,甲同样极有可能因“事实不?[,证据不足”而最终被判“无罪”。司法机关仍不能以伪证罪第二种情况来对副经理立案侦查;当然,基于甲因副经理的证词被一审宣判有罪,可以考虑按照伪证罪的第一种情况来追究其法律责任,然而,这在实践中是难以做到的。因甲被判无罪,检察机关将处于相当的压力之下,如果再追究副经理的伪证行为,会使检察机关面对更大的压力。所以,在副经理第二次作伪证时,如果检察机关不能对其形成突破,那么,甲将会“无罪”,副经理也不会受到法律追究。
因此,就本案而言,副经理的伪证行为可以认为没有任何风险,伪证罪的规定在本案中,将无法适用。尤其值得注意的是,当副经理承认了自己的伪证行为之后,他反而有可能因伪证罪被追究法律责任。
(二)、伪证罪内在的不完善。为什么会出现上述情况呢?这是因为新刑法在伪证罪的规定上还有不尽完善的地方。从根本而言,作伪证的目的不过是致人以罪和使犯罪人脱罪这两种。企图致人以罪就是前述的伪证罪的第一种情况“意图陷害他人”,使犯罪人脱罪就是前述的伪证罪的第二种情况“隐匿罪证”。虽然这是伪证者的主观目的,不过,如果将其作为伪证罪的主观方面在刑法中界定出来,就会在司法认定中引起问题。例如:就伪证罪的第二种情况而言,当刑法将“隐匿罪证”作为伪证罪的主观方面的构成来规定时,就将伪证罪与伪证人企图证明的犯罪联系了起来。也就是说,只有当伪证所针对的犯罪被法院认定之后,伪证罪才成立。所以,这种联系本身在理论上是正确的,不过在某些情况中它使伪证罪难以认定。
就本案而言,副经理的证词在没有其他证据情况下,将是对证明甲贪污行为的最有力证据,即:副经理如实作证,就将认定甲将9000元据为已有,甲构成贪污罪;副经理作伪证,就将否认甲将9000元据为已有,甲“无罪”。所以,当副经理作伪证后,就将面对这样两种情况:一是在检察机关询问时,承认自己的伪证行为,从而甲构成贪污罪,自己构成伪证罪;二是在检察机关询问时,否认自己有伪证行为,坚持伪证证词,则甲“无罪”,自己亦“无罪”。基于目前伪证罪规定造成的这种选择,不仅使伪证人在实际上无可选择,也使检察机关在取证上难度加大。
(三)、思考与借鉴。伪证罪在客体上是妨碍司法秩序的犯罪行为,从这个意义上说,伪证行为人的行为只与其是否故意作伪证有关,至于这种故意的目的是什么,并不会使这种行为的性质发生变化。因此,如果将伪证罪的客观方面以“对司法机关不实陈述”为要件,主观方面只以行为人“故意”实施伪证行为为要件,应更符合伪证罪的实际。
国外的一些立法提供了借鉴。《法国刑法典》第434-13条规定:“向任何法院或者向任何执行另一法院之委托办案的司法警察官员宣誓作伪证的,处5年监禁并科50万法郎罚金。但如作伪证的人在预审法院或判决法院作出终结审判程序的裁定之前,自动撤销其证明者,不罚”i。《加拿大刑事法典》第131条规定:“(1)、在适用第(3)款之前提下,任何人明知其陈述不实,仍意图误导,以誓言或庄严声明,宣誓书,庄严声明或证词或口头形式,面对经合法授权可听取证据者作不实陈述,为伪证罪。(2)、无论是否于司法程序中作出第(1)款述及之陈述,第(1)款均适用。(3)、对未经法律特别许可,授权或要求的作证者作出第(1)款述及之陈述,第(1)款不适用”。上述国家关于伪证罪的规定,都以伪证者“宣誓伪证”或“不实陈述”作为伪证罪的客观方面,以伪证者故意作伪证为其主观方面,从而不将其与伪证所针对的犯罪相联系。法国刑法还规定伪证人自动撤销伪证的,不罚,以鼓励伪证者自动承认其伪证行为,免除了伪证人在作伪证之后的两难处境。
从法理而言,伪证是妨碍司法活动的行为,在界定伪证罪时将其与伪证针对的犯罪区分开,这是有一定理论依据的。就笔者前述案例而言,如果刑法中规定以“证人不实陈述”为构成伪证罪的客观要件,以行为人的“故意”为主观要件,那么,无论该副经理在起诉和二审中如何作伪证,是否坚持其伪证都不会影响到司法机关对其以伪证罪立案侦查;如果刑法中进一步规定“在法院判决前,伪证者自动承认其伪证行为的,不罚”,那么,这将促使该副经理尽快改正其伪证行为。
二、“不实陈述”的含义
前述第二个问题是:如果副经理知道司机的下落,但在司法机关取证时谎称不知道,那么这种行为会构成伪证罪吗?这个问题的涉及到伪证罪中“不实陈述”iii的含义是什么?
我们知道,刑事诉讼包括司法机关侦查、起诉和法院判决活动。这些活动必然要通过询问知道案件事实或知道与案件有关事实的证人来达到查明案情的目的。所以,证人作证的义务,既包括对案件事实作证,也包括对一切与案件有关的事实作证。而证人无论对上述任何一点作伪证,都是没有尽到其法定义务,必将妨害司法机关的活动,从而构成违法行为。这种违法行为,如果针对的是与案件有重要关系的情节或与侦查、起诉活动有重要关系的事实,则构成犯罪行为。法国刑法典第434-12条专门规定:“公开承认自己认识重罪或轻罪之罪犯,但拒绝回答法官就此向其提出的问题的,处1年监禁并科10万法郎罚金。”iv从这一条文可以看出,法国刑法不仅认可证人必须就与侦查、起诉活动有重要关系的事实如实作证,而且还专门就犯罪嫌疑人问题做出专门的规定,将其从伪证罪中分离出来。因此,我们可以得出结论:“不实陈述”是行为人针对与案件有重要关系的情节或与侦查、起诉活动有重要关系的事实,故意做出的违反客观事实的陈述。
三、证人、沉默权、拒绝作证权
前述第三个问题,就是司法实践中常见的证人拒绝作证的问题。在刑事诉讼过程中,证人作证可能出现的情况,除如实作证、作伪证外,还有拒绝作证。拒绝作证体现为在司法机关取证过程中,证人以保持沉默、公然拒绝作证等方式不履行其作证的义务。证人拒绝作证,当然不是作伪证,不过,这同样也是妨碍司法活动的行为。由于我国的刑事诉讼法中对它没有相应的规定,所以在此作一探讨。
沉默权是西方国家无罪推定体系中的一部分,其目的是尊重犯罪嫌疑人在作出陈述方面的自由意志和自由选择权,要求司法机关不得强迫犯罪嫌疑人作出不利于自己的供述,不因犯罪嫌疑人保持沉默或者故意作出虚假陈述而使其承受任何不利的法律后果。因此,沉默权是犯罪嫌疑人所特有的。而证人,则无论我国还是西方国家都要求其必须如实作证。我国刑法中,证人必须如实作证是基于刑事诉讼法第三十七条:“凡是知道案件情况的人都有作证的义务。”也就是说,证人必须把所知道的案件事实全部如实告诉司法机关,可见作伪证、拒绝作证都是违法行为。
西方国家除规定了证人必须如实作证及伪证罪外,对证人拒绝作证还作了具体的规定。如《德国刑事诉讼法典》第七十条规定:“(一)证人无法定理由却拒绝作证、宣誓的,要承担因拒绝造成的费用。对他同时还要科处秩序罚款和不能交纳罚款时易处秩序羁押。(二)为了强制作证,也可以命令羁押,但羁押时间不得超过本诉讼审级程序的终结时间,也不得超过六个月。”《意大利刑事诉讼法典》第207条也有着相类似的规定。
当然,西方国家在规定证人必须如实作证的同时,还赋予了证人拒绝作证权,其基本内容为犯罪嫌疑人的配偶、订婚人或其他近亲属可拒绝作证,神职人员可拒绝提供忏悔者的秘密,辩护人、医生可拒绝提供因职业获知的秘密等等。这些规定是西方国家基于对家庭、职业的利益、价值的考虑而设立的,与沉默权相区别的,与证人作证义务相配套的,建立于“排除合理怀疑”这一证明标准之上的法律规定。因此,它并不适合于我国现有的刑事诉讼法律体系。
我们可以得出结论,证人在刑事诉讼过程中,是不能以沉默等方式拒绝作证的。当然,为了使因此证人不能拒绝作证。当然,为了使我国司法机关在取证过程中能够更有效率,应当把证人拒绝作证的刑事责任以及对证人的保护措施和经济措施予以配套,并规定在我国的刑事诉讼法中。
四、立法建议
综上所述,建议我国刑法对伪证罪的构成要件作相应的修改,以“对司法机关不实陈述”为伪证罪的客观方面要件,以“故意”实施该行为为主观要件,并且规定“在法院判决前,伪证者自动承认其伪证行为的,不罚”。此外,增加证人拒绝作证的刑事责任的规定、对证人的保护措施、经济措施的规定。相信,这可以使伪证罪的立法更为完善。
北安市人民法院 郭辉