Taiwan Church News 3001 Edition August 31~September 6, 2009
Reported by Chiou Kuo-rong. Written by Lydia Ma

Taiwan's national legislature passed Post-Typhoon Morakot Reconstruction Special Act on Aug. 27 and approved a budget of NT$120 billion (US$3.6 billion) for reconstruction efforts. In the next 3 years, central and local governments can apply for funding using this act for all reconstruction projects in areas ravaged by Typhoon Morakot.

However, what aborigines find most upsetting are clauses in the act granting government authorities the power declare disaster areas "danger zones" and thereby forcing residents to resettle. These clauses have incited much indignation among aborigines, whose culture is closely tied to the land they live in. Aborigines are also furious that the government hasn't sought the opinions or heeded the suggestions of victims when it comes to rebuilding their homes. As result, they staged one protest inside the Legislative Yuan and another protest outside of the Legislative Yuan opposing forced resettlement.

Aboriginal NGOs, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan's Indigenous Ministry Committee, and other organizations, have expressed utmost dissatisfaction with post-Morakot reconstruction bills. According to a prepared statement, these organizations are furious at President Ma for breaking promises he gave to aborigines about respecting their wishes in reconstruction efforts. They are also displeased that reconstruction legislations that would impact one or two generations of aborigines were passed in such a sloppy manner, demonstrating utter disregard for victims' rights.

Though the reconstruction bill may mean well, it does not take into consideration several aspects of Aboriginal Basic Act because forced resettlement actually violates the Act, which requires governments to consult Aborigines before doing anything in Aborigine areas. "Every tribe has its own distinct culture. Even among people of the same tribe, merely living in different neighborhoods or reserves gives rise to different cultures," said PCT Indigenous Ministry Committee Program Secretary Rev. Omi Wilang.

He berated the executive and the legislative branches of government for failing to hold public enquiries and acting independently and with total disregard to the feelings of aborigines. "Besides shooting us dead, the most efficient means to exterminate aborigines is to separate them from their land," said Rev. Omi Wilang on behalf of all aborigines in the world.