Dec 12, 2000/12/12 Taiwan News

By Rev. William J.K. Lo (羅榮光)

In an effort to end human calamity and give solace those traumatized in the World War II, the biggest international organization, the United Nations takes center stage in envisioning a whole new and peaceful world.

To that end, the UN, led by U.S. President Roosevelt's wife, announced on December 10th 1948 that "...to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small; to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law and be maintained..." The International Human Rights announcement, a significant humanitarian document, thus came into being.

Although most UN members signed the announcement and swore under oath to steadfastly carry out the mission, the actual document was never made known to people of different countries. That the authoritarian Chiang Kai-shek ruled the Republic of China in Taiwan was a true testimony. Chiang installed martial law and imposed the White Terror machinery, which caused havoc on human rights. How many wrongfully accused convicts, political prisoners and their families cried in the dark?

Year after year, human rights activists strenuously fought their way through the monstrously oppressions. Today, Taiwanese people finally enjoy a democratic and liberal lifestyle. President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said emphatically in his inauguration speech on May 20th that "we [Taiwanese people] established the country on the podium of human rights, and vow to promote humanitarian diplomacy." In accordance with this, the President's administration set up the "council on human rights affairs," and the imminent "national human tights committee" in an effort to incorporate human rights in the legal system. Furthermore, the two organizations are dedicated to human rights education, spreading human rights concerns through households, schools and society. In addition, both organizations strive to participate in international human rights activities, support peoples who suffer at the hands of authorities, elevate human dignity and uphold the overall standard of human rights. I, as a member of the council on human rights affairs, feel that I am taking on an important mission.
On the 52nd anniversary of the International Human Rights Announcement, we should put extra focus on the rights of the 23 million people across the island. The 3rd Article of International Human Rights notes, "each citizen of every country is entitled to the right to live, freedom and personal security." Nevertheless, Taiwanese people still live in the shadow of military threat and vengeful menace from the enemy. Taiwanese people's lives, freedom and security are stake. Each citizen has to understand that we must have the resilience, strong will against annexation, and power to defend ourselves and prevent any potential confrontations of armed force.
On the other hand, we have to grasp the opportunities to take part in international organizations and activities so that our opinions can be heard. We hope that by doing so, the international society will begin to pay attention to Taiwanese people's existence, freedom and security. 

Self-determination is a fundamental right. Chinese authorities have been trying to force Taiwan's new government to give into a "one China" policy, which violates human rights. And domestic "pro-unification-and-anti-independence" partisan factions have been fervently echoing "one China." Confronting a looming crisis, the people of Taiwan have to staunchly take a stand on human rights. We believe that the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their future. In light of this, we have to construct a new and independent republic of Taiwan on the beautiful island of Formosa. And, we have to further establish new and peaceful ties with other countries in order to better improve human lives.

We truly believe in the Lamentation, Chapter 3, Verse 35 that "to deny a man his rights before the Most High, to deprive a man of justice-would not the Lord see such things?" Human rights are God-given, and God will come to help those who unceasingly fight for human rights.

The writer is General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.