美國國會憂心台灣人權倒退， FAPA呼籲馬政府謹守普世人權價值
美國國會蓋瑞特議員，Scott Garrett
有鑑於近日來國際特赦組織、自由之家、國際人權聯盟與無彊界記者組織紛紛發表聲明，關切台灣公民自由與人權嚴重倒退，美國國會於昨日致函，公開呼應這些主流國際人權組織的訴求，對台灣近日來發展表達關切。
蓋瑞特議員連同其他十三位眾議員同僚在這封致布希總統信函內，特地引用台灣關係法第二條(c)項目；這項條文表示「…維護及促進所有臺灣人民的人權是美國的目標。」議員們接著在信中向布希總統建言 ，希望他能「密切觀察台灣的情勢，並呼籲馬英九政府尊重台灣人民辛苦爭取得來的自由與公民權利。」聯署的十四位議員分別為Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Michelle Bachman (R-MN), John Culberson (R-TX), John Duncan (R-TN), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Kenny Marchant (R-TX), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Dennis Moore (D-KS), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Peter Roskam (R-IL), John Sullivan (R-OK), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)。
議員們在信中並列舉陳雲林訪台時，馬政府一連串限制台灣民眾自由的舉動；議員在信裡也表示：「我們相信融洽的兩岸關係有助區域安全與穩定。但是兩岸的進展不應建構在犧牲台灣人民的公民自由與人權之上。」
FAPA會長楊英育表示：「FAPA委員們於上星期一就台灣情勢拜會了一些美國國會辦公室，許多議員辦公室相當認同台灣人權與自由嚴重受創。這些辦公室認為，在台灣等新興民主國家裡，任何自由倒退的情形不僅令人擔憂，並且必須密切觀察。」
楊英育表示：「由於美國國會已經正式休會，加上華府全心專注在新舊任行政部門交接與金融紓困案，美國國會仍選擇發表此封信函，顯示美國國會嚴肅看待對台灣民主與自由的承諾。」
楊英育最後表示：「我們再次呼籲馬政府重視國際關切，並希望馬政府謹守人權與公民自由等普世原則的最高標準。」
另外，首位台灣出生的美國國會議員吳振偉也於上週五特地致函布希總統。吳振偉議員的信函表示：「我對於近日來台灣箝制人權以及公民自由的報導，深表關切。我籲請您建議台灣政府調查日前發生的事件，並呼籲台灣政府謹守任何民主社會裡必要的基本自由與權利。」
December 22, 2008
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
As long-term friends of the people of Taiwan and of the Taiwanese Americans in our districts, we want to express our concern about recent developments in Taiwan. The latest events appear to signal a disturbing erosion of civil liberties and human rights in Taiwan. Amnesty International and Freedom House have issued statements in response to these events.
During Chinese envoy Mr. Chen Yunlin’s visit in early November, several news outlets reported that police seized Republic of China flags from anyone waving them along routes traveled by Mr. Chen, while his supporters were permitted to wave the red flag of the People’s Republic of China. Other reports include a motorcyclist stopped by police because his scooter was decorated with Tibetan flags and people being detained by police for wearing T-shirts bearing ‘objectionable’ slogans like "Taiwan is my country." A music store was allegedly ordered to shut down its sound system because it was playing Taiwanese folk music. Numerous websites and online journals have also documented photo and video evidence of police mistreating those who expressed an opposing viewpoint during Chen Yunlin’s visit.
Even more troubling, news reports have also indicated that more than a half-dozen members of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have been interrogated, arrested and detained by police.
For example, former President Chen Shui-Bian was handcuffed, arrested, and jailed despite the fact that he has not been even been formally charged or indicted. Many believe the allegations against the former President and against other officials of his party are politically motivated.
We believe that a cordial cross-Strait relationship is conducive to the security and stability in the region. However, the advancement of that relationship should not come at the expense of the civil liberties and human rights of the Taiwanese people.
Section 2(c) of the Taiwan Relations Act reminds us that "The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States." With this in mind, we hope that you will keep a close eye on these developments and urge the Ma Yin-jeou government to respect the basic freedoms and civil rights that Taiwan’s people have fought so diligently to achieve over the last half century.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Scott Garrett, Robert Andrews, Michelle Bachman, John Culberson, John Duncan, Trent Franks, Rush Holt, Kenny Marchant, Thaddeus McCotter, Dennis Moore, Sue Myrick, Peter Roskam, John Sullivan, Dana Rohrabacher
December 19, 2008
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20502
Dear Mr. President,
As an advocate of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law around the world, and as a strong supporter of stability and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait, I am deeply concerned about the recent reported clampdown of human rights and civil liberties in Taiwan. I respectfully request that you urge the government of Taiwan to investigate the recent incidents and to uphold the fundamental freedoms and rights essential to any democratic society.
As you know, large protests occurred in Taiwan during the November visit of China’s top envoy for cross-straits relations, Mr. Chen Yunlin. News outlets reported various incidences of free speech suppression, including the prohibition of displaying Taiwan’s national flag along routes traveled by Mr. Chen, and the detention of people wearing t-shirts with slogans like “Taiwan is my country.” Moreover, some police were reported to have used heavy-handed tactics when handling the protesters, and both Amnesty International and Freedom House have urged the government of Taiwan to conduct an independent investigation of the police-protester clashes. The organizations have also called for a reexamination of Taiwan’s Assembly and Parade Law to determine whether it provides adequate protection for citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
Section 2(c) of the Taiwan Relations Act states, “The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States.” I hope that you closely monitor the developments in Taiwan to ensure that human rights, civil liberties, and the right to peaceful protest remain the central pillars of Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.
With warm regards,
David Wu
Member of Congress
