FAPA is out with a statement on the recent prosecutions here:++++++++++++++
Statement regarding the recent spate
of politically-inspired prosecutions in Taiwan
of politically-inspired prosecutions in Taiwan
Washington DC. As an American organization that has fought hard for the past 26 years for the promotion of freedom, human rights and democracy for the people of Taiwan, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) expresses its deep concern about the erosion of Taiwan’s democracy during the past half year. In particular, we are disturbed about the recent spate of politically-inspired detentions of present and former DPP government officials in Taiwan (See listing below).
We also question the fairness of the procedures: while one or two of the accused have been formally charged, the majority is being held incommunicado without being charged. This is a severe contravention of the writ of habeas corpus and a basic violation of due process, justice and the rule of law. In the meantime, the prosecutor’s offices leak detrimental information to the press. This kind of “trial by press” is unacceptable.
We do firmly believe that any alleged wrongdoings must be dealt with in a fair and open manner. Justice through the rule of law is essential to Taiwan’s efforts to consolidate democracy and protect fundamental human rights. But, as the judicial authorities work through this investigation, it is essential that they adhere to the dictum that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
We urge the American government and Congress to express their deep concern about this deterioration of human rights and democracy in Taiwan. The present cases endanger the progress which has been made during the 21 years since the end of the Kuomintang’s martial law in 1987. As members of the Taiwanese American community we believe that a return to the KMT’s White Terror days of 1945-1987 should be avoided at all cost.
Prof. Bob Yang
President, Formosan Association for Public Affairs
ATTACHMENT:
Specific cases of concern:
- The arrest and detention on October 15th of former Interior minister Yu Cheng-hsien;
- The arrest and detention on October 28th of former Hsinchu Science Park Director and Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection Dr. James Lee;
- The arrest and detention on October 29th of DPP Chiayi County Commissioner Chen Ming-wen;
- The indictment on October 30th of DPP Tainan City Councilor Wang Ting-yu;
- The arrest and detention on October 31st of former National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general and Deputy Prime Minister Chiou I-jen;
+++++++++++++
[Taiwan]
23 comments:
Americans have no standing preaching to others about human rights abuse, beuacse I have two words for you:
Guantanamo Bay
Now, we'll know Ma has succeeded in walking us back to the 1970's when the accused start becoming "stricken by grief in contemplation of their crimes" and leap off of bridges, dormitories, water towers and other high structures... or when their "fast, reckless lifestyles" culminate in "drunken" car crashes, drownings or other forms of "accidental" death.
We will know it when "righteous vigilantes" can no longer stand to see their beloved country violated and take matters into their own hands (in direct cooperation with the government) and seek out these infidel and their families for assault and assassination. When the GIO, NSB, CIB, the military, police and executive branch are again walking in lock-step, free of independent criticism.
We'll know it when the constitution becomes both a spear and a shield for those in power. Then we will know Ma has completed what he has set out to achieve.
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Unfortunately, the American government currently has ZERO credibility with respect to human rights and international standards.
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first anon, what are you saying?
Michael lives in and is committed to Taiwan. His whole family is here. His long-term job is here. I would have more of a problem with Michael voting in the American election than talking about Taiwanese politics, because honestly, what happens in the US in the next four years has a lot less to do with him than what happens in Taiwan. (Though citizenship being what it is, he has every right obviously to vote in the US election).
Actually, Anon, the important thing is that the criticism is being made. The fact that the US has percolated some human rights abuses in the last few years doesn't free the KMT from blame. So you can repeat your two words all you like. It won't make the trends in Taiwan any less worrying.
I have a hard time believing what I'm seeing. When it was one or two, you think, just watch it play out, people can be surprising. But when there is a systematic one-sided prosecution of the DPP, when we know that there are a large number of gangsters in the KMT, it's hard to not believe there isn't a political influence on the judicial process.
Oh, one more thing. Notice that this does not come from the US government but from FAPA. So why, Anon, would FAPA, which has nothing to do with Guantanamo Bay, shouldn't be able to preach to others. This is their metier and area of expertise, and they don't represent those who want to keep the Guantanamo prison open.
I don't see why the actions of the American government in Guantanamo Bay necessarily precludes private American citizens and organizations like FAPA from making a statement about respect for civil liberties and rule of law in another country. Although some Americans might have initially supported the Bush admin policy on Guantanamo, plenty of them are now either actively fighting to change the policy, or at least loudly voicing their displeasure with the abuses being carried out in their name. By the first anon's logic, the entire population of Taiwan loses the right to criticize arbitrary arrests in China if the Ma government engages in politically-motivated detention?
But yes, ultimately it's the Taiwanese in Taiwan who will have to stand up against abuses of the criminal investigation process by their own government.
anon #1... I don't think this is a contest. Guantanamo is bad. Ma's policies are also bad. Human rights violations are human rights violations. If you are trying to use Guantanamo to justify of validate Taiwan's HR abuses I think you should find a better strategy. Just because the USA can't live up to its ideals does not mean Ma should see this as an opportunity to stoop to the same level.
The failure of other countries to live up to high standards of human rights in no way excuses Taiwan. Taiwan has advanced in so far in so many areas over the last twenty years. Now it is slipping backward fast and it is essential to speak out and document this.
There were and are plenty of principled people in the states who have stood against the abuses of the Bush admin. This includes most of the JAGs, and prosecutors for the military.
In any case, FAPA is an NPO not a branch of the US government. Or do you people think that any American criticism of human rights violations is out of bounds now?
FAPA just thinks all legal systems are like the US one. Don't forget Taiwan legal system is based on the Japanese one which was adopted from Europe. With a warrant from a judge and any charges, prosecutor can hold a person for almost 4 month (if memory serve me right in Britain, it is 3 month). I thought most expats in Taiwan knows this, since it is posted on the AIT website.
Just ask this question to yourself: Can a Taiwan (or a British, or a French, or a German) police stop you for questioning without cause? The answer is YES while it is a big NO in the US.
Unfortunately, the American government currently has ZERO credibility with respect to human rights and international standards.
Doesn't matter. The US has a lot of influence over Taiwan. It may well do nothing other than grumble a bit, but if wants to push Taipei it can.
Anon
Don't you mean Americans who condone their government's human rights abuses have no standing preacing to others?
Michael is not responsible for the actions of Dubya and his cabal of cretins. And I'm sure as hell he didn't vote for that idiot.
Also, he pays taxes in Taiwan so he has the right to criticize.
While losing moral authority is among the many failures of the Bush presidency - Americans as individuals have as much right to talk about human rights as anyone else.
And of course - nothing is fixed in Taiwan by pointing to the many failures of the US.
"We urge the American government and Congress to express their deep concern about this deterioration of human rights and democracy in Taiwan."
I still say it's laughable for FAPA to include the above in their statement. To ask the American government and Congress to express their deep concern about this deterioration of human rights and democracy in Taiwan is like to ask a murderer to be jury on another murder trial.. hahaha...
Gunatanamo Bay
Gunatanamo Bay
Gunatanamo Bay
Gunatanamo Bay
Gunatanamo Bay
Gunatanamo Bay
damn, I think first anon was just a successful troll.
arty:
i don't care where taiwan's system is from. chiang kaishek and chiang jinguo and the ROC constitution preached a lot of things and they were all wrong. they killed lots of people in very illegal and legal (but morally wrong) ways.
what is legal and what the police are within their right to do is one thing--what ma is doing is moving taiwan from a more open, liberal society towards one that does not allow for as much freedom of expression and assembly. your position sounds as scary as ma's--he said any legal protest will be allowed.
given taiwan's track record under the kmt, what is legal is often quite ridiculous, unenforced, unenforceable, or contrary to the values of the culture here or even violations of human rights.
did you see what wang dingyu was charged as? for basically embarrassing the country. what the fuck? no really, what the fuck? yes that law is still on the books. but why the hell did the prosecutor actually use it?
"damn, I think first anon was just a successful troll."
One who can't spell Guantanamo, no less.
again, anonymous #1 and 2:03pm...
Explain again how US failures to safeguard human rights makes it ok for Taiwan to do the same?
I am still not clear. If you would like to criticize Guantanamo Bay, be my guest. Go to a nice Guantanamo Bay website and pour your guts out.
Now your task is to tell us how this makes it ok for Ma to wield state power in a way which deprives human beings of their rights. c'mon... make the connection.
I'm curious about the links of these overseas Taiwan nativist groups. In particular, how/if FAPA is connected to WUFI. I've written them before, but haven't gotten a response.
ROC constitution preached a lot of things and they were all wrong. they killed lots of people in very illegal and legal (but morally wrong) ways.
ROC constitution is bad? I would like you to point out one "bad" thing from ROC constitution. Btw, if you read ROC constitution carefully, you will realize (in theory), KMT should be left-winger. However, for your information, in the 20th century, the extreme left killed more people than the right. I am a left-winger and I am very embarrassed by this fact actually.
did you see what wang dingyu was charged as? for basically embarrassing the country. what the fuck? no really, what the fuck? yes that law is still on the books. but why the hell did the prosecutor actually use it?
Yea,when Chiu-yi was charged and jailed with the same thing. You guys think it is well deserved. Give me a break okay.
Patrick, FAPA and WUFI are not formally connected and for many years maintained separate information centers on the Hill in DC. Email me for more info.
Michael
Yea,when Chiu-yi was charged and jailed with the same thing. You guys think it is well deserved. Give me a break okay
Chiu Yi was jailed for damaging public property and interfering with government functionaries in their work. He was not charged with vehicular assault, which he should have been.
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