16 August 1977
A DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS BY THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN TAIWAN
To the President of the United States, to all countries concerned, and to the Christian churches throughout the world:
Our church confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord of all mankind and believes that human rights and a land in which each one of us has a stake are gifts bestowed by God. Therefore, we make the declaration, set in the context of the present crisis threatening the 17 million people of Taiwan.
Ever since President Carter's inauguration as President of the United States he has consistently adopted "Human Rights" as a principle of his diplomacy. This is an epoch-making event in the history of foreign policy.
We therefore request President Carter to continue to uphold the principles of human rights while pursuing the "normalization of relationships with Communist China" and to insist on guaranteeing the security, independence and freedom of the people of Taiwan.
As we face the possibility of an invasion by Communist China, we hold firmly to our faith and to the principles underlying the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. We insist that the future of Taiwan shall be determined by the 17 million people who live there. We appeal to the countries concerned - especially to the people and the government of the United States of America - and to Christian churches throughout the world to take effective steps to support our cause.
In order to achieve our goal of independence and freedom for the people of Taiwan in this critical international situation, we urge our government to face reality and to take effective measures whereby Taiwan may become a new and independent country.
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We beseech God that Taiwan and all the rest of the world may become a place where "Mercy and truth will meet together; righteousness and peace will embrace. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven."
(Psalm 85:10, 11) [TEV and KJV]
SIGNED BY:
H. E. Chao
Moderator of the General Assembly
H. K. Weng
Deputy Moderator of the General Assembly
(Acting in the absence of the Moderator)
C. M. Kao
General Secretary
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