DECEMBER 2012

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

Lets Not Allow Taiwan Disappear from the Team of Global Democracies Remarks by DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2012

Today is December 10, which is Human Rights Day. Sixtyfive years ago, the United Nations issued the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This day holds a special meaning for the development of democracy and human rights in Taiwan. Thirty-three years ago, in order to pursue democracy, freedom and human rights for Taiwan, the Taiwanese people took to the streets, receiving in return, brutal suppression by the mili

tary police in Kaohsiung and were later sent to military courts. As I was just a little over 30 years-old, that was my first time in front of the military courts as a defense lawyer for those persecuted in the Formosa Incident. During those times, the power of the Taiwanese people and those from the Tangwai (former opposition) movement formed a great union, which later bred the

Democratic Progressive Party of today. Along the road, the DPP moved forward in order to purse the universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights, and ever since the DPP first gained power, it vigorously promoted the UNs International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights so they could be incorporated into Taiwans legislaPAGE 1

 tion, but without a majority in the legislature, it was heavily blocked by the KMT. Even though the KMT took over the reins of government and finally passed the two covenants, we still see President Ma Yingjeou unable to put them into true practice. From the past four years, we have seen that the actions from President Mas administration have allowed a decline of human rights and democracy. Furthermore, we see a complete lack of reform related to the two covenants and a lack of real and concrete actions. From a recent poll released by the DPPs Survey Center, as well as polls released by other organizations, there is clearly a new phenomenon displayed by the Taiwanese people, which is a recurring concern and dissatisfaction over human rights. This also shows that under the administration of President Ma, human rights in Taiwan have step-by-step gone into decline and the current democratic system is going through a serious crisis. In the two areas of judiciary and the media, this is especially obvious. Since the second transfer of power, the abuse by prosecutors in the judiciary have been too numerous to count, and this is how affairs has been conducted in the judiciary. As society was paying wide attention, public prosecutors unjustly went after former DPP officials. Purposely spreading rumors and violating the principle of privacy, they gave information to the media outlet of their choice, painting former DPP officials as having committed atrocious crimes. However, through years of legal battles, they were found notguilty, indemnified from the miscarriage of justice, but given that it is already a miscarriage of justice, compensation will not be able to bring their honor and dignity back, and their life and reputation have already been ruined. Along the same lines, the degree of abuse in power by government agencies has also brought great pain. It is not surprising that in every poll released, the peoples trust towards the judiciary is extremely low. This is very disadvantageous for the health of Taiwans democratic development and human rights. In the media environment, Taiwans press freedom has gone through serious deterioration. Freedom House has warned that in the past three years, Taiwans press freedom ranking has continuously declined. Additionally, Chinas interference into reporting methods is also a critical concern. From the recent business deals creating media conglomeration, there are suspicions and worries that there is a China factor involved. Channels that should be public in nature are becoming privatized. So it is the China

DECEMBER 2012 factor that is posing the greatest threat to Taiwans democracy. Surveying the past, even under the martial law era controlled by the KMTs one-party autocracy, Taiwan was able to break through martial law, ending the press ban and seeking for freedom and human rights protection. This came as a result of the concerns shown by several international organizations and many of our international friends from the United States, Japan and other countries. The DPP, as a party that has pursued democracy, freedom and human rights, facing now with the decline of human rights in Taiwan and the crisis in our democracy development, will not stand idle. We are sincerely calling the attention of democratic countries around the world to know the reality that Taiwans democracy is going through a crisis. Furthermore, today, we are announcing that the DPP plans to organize a big protest march, appealing to all the public to join forces with the DPP in order to protect Taiwans democracy. We hope that the people can express their anxieties and concerns to those holding power. The DPP also hopes that the international community pays greater concern to Taiwan and show their support. Lets not allow Taiwan disappear from the team of global democracies. Thank You!

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DECEMBER 2012

DPP releases public opinion survey regarding human rights in Taiwan

Survey conducted December 6-7, 2012 with sample size of 1,170. Sampling error: 95% confidence interval within 3.06% sampling error Target group: citizens with right to vote and over 20 years of age Weighting: age, gender, place of residence

1. Are you satisfied with the current guarantees in Taiwan for economic rights? Economic rights: fair tax system, protection of consumer rights, etc. Satisfied 23.0% Unsatisfied 67.5% No opinion 9.5%

2. Are you satisfied with the current guarantees in Taiwan for the protection of human rights in the judicial system? Judicial human rights: impartiality in judicial trials, proper treatment of inmates, etc. Satisfied 22.6% Unsatisfied 67.0% No opinion 10.4%

3. Are you satisfied with the current guarantees in Taiwan regarding environmental human rights? Environmental human rights: proper processing of garbage waste, non-contamination in public spaces, proper urban planning, etc. Satisfied 30.5% Unsatisfied 61.1% No opinion 8.5%

4. Are you satisfied with the current guarantees in Taiwan for the human rights protection of disadvantaged groups? Human rights protection of disadvantaged groups: fair treatment and proper assistance in the aspects of healthcare, education and employment for elderly, children, poor and disabled. Satisfied 29.6% Unsatisfied 64.0% No opinion 6.5%

5. Are you satisfied with the current guarantees in Taiwan for civil rights? Civil rights: guarantees in the legitimate rights and interests of the people, the government paying attention to public opinion.

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 Satisfied 25.2% Unsatisfied 64.9%

DECEMBER 2012 No opinion 9.9%

6. From an overall perspective, are you satisfied with the current guarantees in Taiwan regarding the protection of human rights? Satisfied 31.1% Unsatisfied 62.3% No opinion 6.6%

DPP pays concern to Tibetan youth in Taiwan on hunger strike

Nine Tibetan youth in Taiwan started a hunger strike to protest against the treatment of Tibetans in China, which has resulted in occurrences of self-immolation. The Tibetan youth in Taiwan had been on hunger strike for 49 hours and sitting-in at Liberty Square in Taipei. DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang, accompanied by party staff, paid a visit on December 10, International Human Rights Day, to express the DPPs support for the human rights situation of the Tibetan people and to show his concern for the health and well-being of the Tibetan youth on hunger strike. Chair Su called into question President Ma Ying-jeous stand on human rights, who before and after the election has shown conflicting standards. He also appealed the Taiwanese public to show concern for the human rights situation in Tibet. Representative of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Taiwan, Mr. Dawa Tsering, described the declining human rights situation in Tibet, saying that there has been 96 Tibetans who have selfimmolated in the Western region of China, among which 30 of them took place in November of last year. He said that the last words of the Tibetan who selfimmolated were to hope for Tibetan democracy, freedom and human rights. In relating to the plight of the Tibetan people, Chair Su said that along the road to its democracy, Taiwan was not entirely alone as many international organizations helped the PAGE 4 people of Taiwan. He emphasized that the Taiwanese people are very concerned about Chinas treatment of the Tibetan people, but that more needed to be done. Chair Su gave his full support to the Tibetan people as leader of the DPP, saying that he hoped that the Taiwanese people collectively expresses concern for the human rights situation in Tibet.

DECEMBER 2012

Chair Su Tseng-chang receives former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacic Affairs
DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang received Mr. Christopher Hill, former US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs on December 10. The hour-long meeting included discussions on the democratization of China and cross strait relations. Regarding cross strait relations, Chair Su said he believed that in facing China, the interactions must be friendly, but with no haste as there were still many problems within China itself. He emphasized that Taiwan should allow time for China to change gradually, showing patience and goodwill. He also pointed out that cross strait relations cant be solved by either side alone, and there are not just only cross strait conditions to be taken into consideration, but the entire region as well. The DPP believes that it is necessary to maintain peace, but in no condition should Taiwans sovereignty be forsaken, and this is what DPP has been and will always insist upon, he said. The DPP hopes for peace in the cross straits, but it must avoid over-dependence on China and maintain a regional strategic balance said Chair Su. He cited examples from President Ma Ying-jeous administration which destabilized regional balance of power such as assisting certain groups of Taiwanese people go to the Diaoyutai Islands and proclaim sovereignty for China instead of Taiwan. Chair Su said that these actions obviously shook regional stability and affected many sides, especially embroiling the United States because it is a signator of the Treaty of Cooperation and Security with Japan. Chair Su said that with these problems, Taiwan is at a critical geographic location, and hence, it is bestowed with the responsibility in maintaining regional stability and avoid triggering any conflicts. Ambassador Hill said that Taiwan is not a instigator of problems in the Asia-Pacific Region, but rather, Taiwan would be the solution to the problem since it is a paradigm of liberty and democracy. Mr. Hill also said that Taiwan should be allowed more international space so that the Taiwanese people, especially the young people in Taiwan, can participate in global affairs and not sense feelings of isolation. Chair Su replied that just as Mr. Hill had said, he hoped that Taiwan can join the world as a family member and that Taiwanese youth will have a chance to enhance and maintain the values of liberty, democracy and human rights.

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DECEMBER 2012

DPP, CALD protest against Chinas controversial passports

In regards to the controversial issue surrounding Chinas newly designed passports, the DPP has strongly voiced its opposition to Chinas unilateral steps in claiming territories in which they have no jurisdiction. The DPP, throught its international channels, have jointly expressed its firm stance against such move by China. On November 28, the DPPs Central Standing Committee passed a resolution condemning the new Chinese passports. Recently the DPP discussed this issue with member parties of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), and passed a resolution to restate CALD members disatisfaction to Chinas new version of its passports. CALD is an alliance of democratic parties in Asia, and it aims to promote the development of democracy and human rights in Asia. Full, observer, individual and hononary members of the alliance include Taiwan, Mongolia, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, with a total of 16 members. Below is the CALD Resolution in full: CALD Resolution No. 4 S. 2012 CALD resolution expressing concern on Chinas inclusion of disputed or national territories in the map imprinted on its new electronic passport; recognizing that the act may be construed as provocative by other Asian countries; and calling on all concerned countries to respect each others territory and maritime jurisdiction, as defined by international law, in the spirit of peaceful, constructive and amicable settlement of disputes. Aware that China recently released an electronic passport with an image of a new map demarcating territories in the South China Sea which it claims as under its sovereign jurisdiction; Recognizing that the demarcation in the map includes territories which are either integral parts of other East, Southeast, and South Asian states territorial and maritime jurisdiction, or subject to competing territorial claims under international law; Concerned that the act may be construed as provocative by other claimant countries, as it may be considered as a strategy to force them, when they stamp the passport, to implicitly acknowledge Chinese sovereignty over all territories in the South China Sea; Mindful that the inclusion of the map may be considered as a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) that China and the 10-member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed in 2002; Noting that paragraph five of the ten-year-old DOC states that parties should exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their differences in a constructive manner; Cognizant that the inclusion of the map may also be interpreted as contradictory to the statement of China indicating its readiness to make joint efforts with ASEAN countries to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and safeguard regional

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 peace, stability, cooperation and development; in the same vein, the maps inclusion of two Taiwanese tourist sites also appears to go against Chinas declaration of softening its stance on cross-strait relations; Calling on ASEAN, China, and other claimant parties to hasten the adoption of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, and to be fully committed to its implementation once adopted; Urging all concerned countries to respect each others territorial sovereignty, exclusive economic zone and maritime domain, in conformity and in accordance with international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), and to refrain from actions which may become source of renewed tensions or conflicts; The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats hereby expresses concern on Chinas inclusion of disputed or national territories in

DECEMBER 2012 the map imprinted on its new electronic passport; recognizes that the act may be construed as provocative by other Asian countries; and urging all concerned countries to respect each others territory and maritime jurisdiction, as defined by international law, in the spirit of peaceful, constructive and amicable settlement of disputes. More information can be found at: http://www.cald.org/site/resourc e.php?i=Resolutions

Protecting Taiwans sovereignty, DPP introduces Taiwan is my Country passport stickers

In order to show the DPPs strong oppositon to Chinas newly designed passports, the DPP prepared appoximately 10,000 copies of Taiwan is my country stickers for Taiwanese citizens to paste it on the cover of their passports. This campaign is an attempt to clarify and restate that Taiwan is an independent country and not part of China, said DPP Spokesperson Wang Min-sheng. On the stickers, there is a map showing clear demarcations of the Asian countries of Taiwan, China, the Phillippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. What President Mas administration has failed to do, we the people must do it ourselves, said Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang explained that the DPPs campaign was created to protest against Chinas unilateral actions, which he said has severely injured Taiwans sovereignty. He also pointed out that this issue has shown the incompetency of President Mas administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mainland Affairs Council. The stickers were designed in the three different collors of yellow, pink and dark green. They have been delivered to party branches in every county and will soon be passed outside of the governments Bureau of Consular Affairs for the general public collecting new passports.

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DECEMBER 2012

DPP sends election observation mission to South Korea

Additionally, the DPP delegation also paid a visit to the original place of South Korean democracy Gwangju. The May 18 Memorial Foundation Chairperson Kim Juntae happily offered a calligraphy present to DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang and Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi offered one in return on behalf of Chair Su, with the letters meaning Long Last Democracy, wishing democracy to continue flourishing for both South Korea and Taiwan. The South Korean Presidential Election, which received wide focus worldwide, concluded with the new president-elect Park Geun-hyes achieving election victory. DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang sent a congratulatory message to her party, the New Frontier, or Saenuri, Party. Meanwhile, he also expressed the DPPs hopes to strengthen ties with South Korea following the conclusion of their elections. The delegation set off on December 14, returning on the 20th, and comprising of 14 delegates. Participants in the mission included DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi, legislators Chen Ming-wen, Tsai Huang-lang, Chen Ting-fei, Lin Tai-hua, and party staff. The mission included visits to both campaign headquarters, the major political parties in South Korea, think tanks and universities in Seoul and Gwangju. The delegation was able to experience the passion of South Korean voters. In the process, it was noted that supporters of Park Geun-hye concentrated mainly in the age range above 50 years-old, and the supporters of Moon Jae-in, the opponent, were mainly people with younger age ranges. The so called Divided Generation prooved to be true in the face of the campaign. Aside from the visits to campaigns, the South Korean tour also included the Asian Institute for Policy Studies and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. In their meetings, the South Korea Presidential Election and issues over Northeast-Asia situation and Korea-Taiwan Relations were discussed. Scholars agreed on the small difference in popularity for both South Korean election candidates. Lastly, the DPP delegation also visited the Taiwan Office stationed in South Korea.

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DECEMBER 2012

DPP plans The Peoples Train of Fury Rallies for January 13

The Peoples Train of Fury Rallies, organized by the DPP, was officially launched on December 15 in front of Lungshan Temple in Taipei. The public was invited to assemble and express their frustration against the failed policies of President Mas administration. People from all walks of life gathered together and chanted the slogans, Lets get on the streets and express our fury; We want life, we want democracy, we want reforms! The Peoples Train of Fury Rallies will culiminate on January 13 at Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office. DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang said that the people in Taiwan are living in a difficult situation while President Ma remains ignorant by publicly saying inappropriate responses to public criticism. President Mas inaction has made all the people angry, he said. It is obvious that the people are furious, and we will go onto the streets to express our displeasure, Chair Su said. We must tell President Ma that we want a better life.

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

PUBLISHED BY: Department of International Aairs Democratic Progressive Party 9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Road, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306 Fax: 886-2-2393-0342 Email: foreign@dpp.org.tw Website: http://www.dpp.org.tw

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