Speeches during Workshop

Speaker :
Jason Cherng (AWC Representative)
Josephine Wu (AWC Representative)
Oliver Lee (FOWPAL Representative)
Philips Tsai (Tai Ji Men Dizi)
Tieng Lim (Tai Ji Men Dizi)
Alex Liou (Tai Ji Men Dizi)
Zheng-Xian, Huang (perspective of the aborigine)
Chaomu (Tai Ji Men Dizi from New York)
Peter Chao (Tai Ji Men Dizi from San Joes, USA)

Jason Cherng (AWC Representative)

On behalf of the Association of World Citizens, I welcome you to participate in the "2002 Workshop for Human Rights of World Citizens" held by AWC, the Federation of World Peace and Love, and the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy. The workshop today shows the concern for human rights in Taiwan and also reveals that there is room for future development of human rights here.

In response to the United Nations designating the first decade of the 21st century as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World," "Creating A Culture of Peace for the 21st Century" was selected as the theme for the 2001 World Citizens Assembly (WCA 2001). April 1, 2001, was proclaimed as World Citizenship Day in Taiwan by Dr. Hong and witnessed by President Chen Shui-bian of the Republic of China. Also in attendance were around 400 delegates from over 50 countries, and over 20,000 spectators. WCA 2001 brought forth the Peace Declaration, which was the consensus reached by the delegates from various countries. WCA 2001 has been listed as an official event in UNESCO'S decade calendar under "Culture of Peace."

The day of August 15 was the end of World War II. Vice President Lu specially held a series of activities, "Global Peace, Voice from Taiwan." There were many organizations involved. FOWPAL and Tai Ji Men also co-sponsored the event. During the activities, peace-loving people from around the world who are the "cream of the crop" in their respective fields, including five Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, governors from various countries, and representatives of international peace organizations were invited to Taiwan and enthusiastically took part in the workshops and related activities. By hosting and co-sponsoring various conferences, AWC Taiwan helped to enhance not only the interaction between the domestic non-official organizations and international ones, but also the collaboration between non-governmental organizations. By doing so, the status of Taiwan on the international stage may be improved.

AWC has striven for human rights and acted as a voice for the people in the Third World nations for a long time. One significant instance is Mr. Rene Wadlow, AWC's Representative to the UN in Geneva, reported several times on the restrictions faced by the Fa Lun Gong in the UN conferences between 1999 - 2001, which has drawn more attention to the respect for human rights.

AWC has striven for human rights for years. By means of international activities and videotapes, in the past two years, AWC Taiwan, under the leadership of Dr. Hong, has taken action to promote peace, protection of the environment, and protection of justice and human rights. AWC, in participating in the workshops, has centered on the issue of Taiwan and international human rights, and has zealously offered suggestions on a culture of peace, the spirit of the judicial system in the advanced countries, and human rights education. In addition, every year we have shared the development of human rights in Taiwan with AWC headquarters and other World Citizens Centers worldwide, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations.

Human rights are closely linked to our daily lives. According to the 2001 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices submitted annually by the U.S. Department of State to the U.S. Congress, for Taiwan, it reported that "the government basically had respect for people's human rights yet there were still many problems in some aspects." Problems include police abuse of detainees, judicial corruption, infringement on the privacy of civilians, discrimination and violence against women, social discrimination against aborigines, and illegal trade in selling women and children. These serious problems indeed indicate that we should work harder for human rights for the people of Taiwan.

The Constitution of Taiwan was revised several times, while human rights were not taken into consideration. And people's awareness of human rights was low and they did not even know how to protect their own rights. For the purpose of improving the practice of human rights, the government should set sound policies; people ought to be engaged in and exposed to related issues to further evoke discussions in society. There is no denying that to include the knowledge of human rights in education is very important in the development of human rights.

In President Chen's inaugural speech, he stated that human rights should be protected, that Taiwan should move in the direction of international society, and that a country should be established based on human rights. The above are his principles in politics. In some respects, it reflects the importance of non-governmental organizations for Taiwan to take part in the global village. From this standpoint, our country should promote good qualified non-governmental organizations to undertake international cultural exchange. To practice human rights is not a slogan at all. With our persistence, we hope to create a miracle for human rights after the economic and democratic ones.

Now I would like to read the congratulatory letter from the President of the Association of World Citizens, Mr. Douglas Mattern.

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Josephine Wu (AWC Representative)

Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Evening:

It is my pleasure on behalf of AWC to attend tonight's activity, "The 2002 Workshop for Human Rights of World Citizens-The New Era of Peace for International Human Rights." April 1 is really a special day; last year, AWC Taiwan, FOWPAL, and Tai Ji Men together co-organized an outstanding World Citizens Assembly. On the anniversary of "World Citizenship Day in Taiwan," our goal takes a big leap from the subject of "Peace and Culture" to "Peace and Human Rights," in response to the United Nation's designating 1995-2004 as "The Decade of Human Rights Education." I highly appreciate being invited to attend the activity held by AWC Taiwan, FOWPAL and Tai Ji Men, and I have learned a lot from the process.

Beginning with the proclamation of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" on December 10, 1948, the human rights system was built internationally in which the United Nations played a critical role. The protection of individual human rights is not only secured through a country's government, it should also be protected by an international mechanism. Therefore, the essential element to evaluate how human rights is respected in a country is not merely to judge by the sovereignty of this country, how the government deals with its citizens needs to be observed. Also, in comparison with international standards, how is this country rated in the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices?

In view of international conditions, newly developing countries pay more attention to human rights in line with the trend of democratization. Losing ties to the United Nations in 1971, Taiwan lacked intensive connection with international human rights development, although the economy in Taiwan has bloomed in the past decades. It is clear that human rights development in Taiwan lacks the interaction, stimulation and pressure from the international system.

Under such circumstances, AWC Taiwan, as a non-governmental organization, accepts assisting the government to promote human rights education and development, and to enhance communication and cooperation to inspire the country to work with international organizations. Consequently, it will drive Taiwan to interact with other countries and to approach the international human rights standard. It is important, that to a certain extent, Taiwan's efforts and experiences will impact human rights development in China. This tells us that in spite of the isolation status today, Taiwan and its 24 million people are part of the global village of human rights.

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Oliver Lee (FOWPAL Representative)

I am pleased to co-organize the "2002 Workshop for Human Rights of World Citizens" with the Association of World Citizens Taiwan. Established in May 2000, the Federation of World Peace and Love has participated in many events and the Bell of Peace has rung in various countries. We hope our efforts will encourage world leaders to work together to spread love to the world. Our cultural performances are thus to enhance people's mutual understanding, and to unite their hearts through cultural exchange activities.

There are "Human Rights" issues in the advanced countries because human rights are considered basic knowledge and are openly discussed. There are no human rights issues in the autocratic countries because there are no human rights. In transitional countries, human rights did not exist in the previous period. With the transition, people do not have enough knowledge of and do not pay much attention to human rights. They think human rights has nothing to do with them and that human rights violations will not happen to them. Therefore, human rights become the privilege of politicians who use it for their own personal gain, while promoting human rights become sacrificed. It is significant to have the concept of "human rights through education." Only when human rights become basic knowledge and everyone's responsibility, will those who violate human rights be questioned and brought to justice. Only when people practice human rights, will world peace arrive earlier.

Human rights is just like the air that exists around us. We feel its significance after it is gone. The difference is that air exists everywhere naturally, whereas human rights will just become a slogan without our efforts.

From many examples of countries in transformation, we learn that if one does not respect human rights, the impact will reflect on oneself some day when human rights is destroyed, like one living without air. People only realize the value of human rights when it is gone. Education is necessary for people to understand the essence of human rights, which is critical to help people apply human rights and know how to fight for it. No matter whether one is a politician or a senior government official, a prisoner or a VIP-to-be, the problems one encounters may happen to anyone. Therefore, I wish today's workshop great success, and the resolution will be a very important milestone for people striving for human rights in the future. Thank you.

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Philips Tsai (Tai Ji Men Dizi)

Human rights and democracy are outstanding universal values. As a universal commitment, human rights should be made aware and applied from all aspects, of which realization is viewed as the ideal of human culture.

Democratic politics is structured based on the essence of human rights. First, it affirms morality and the human spirit. The significance of the existence of mankind is beyond its nature, and all human beings are born equal in dignity and rights.

A country is viewed as a spiritual symbol, whose regime and administration should be owned by the individual who comprises the entity. Nevertheless, no single national is able to monitor or control the nation's regime from all perspectives. The democratic structure is to virtualize the regime of a nation, with people expressing their will through votes to exercise their rights. One man, one vote, and the minority following the decision made by the majority is formed by the practice of the democratic essence applied to the political system.

The democratic spirit in modern society is the fruit of awakened human rights and democratic politics. Modern democracy is beyond the simple "one-man one vote" election mechanism, but a spirit integrating the significance of human rights. Under the democratic system could the development and exercise of human rights be guaranteed, which is brought by their respective interacting logic. The significance of democracy is cited from human rights, and the character of the regime is to execute the decision of the majority with respect to human rights of all individuals.

Law and order are known as the rule to manage a country, and as the application of the reins of government, which could be neutral and complying with the law. In comparison with the regime controlled by the individual, legislation is an advanced progress and is a solid system to secure the practice of human rights in-line with democracy.

Hence, human rights, democracy and legislation are three crucial elements to form a modern civil society, of which the core is to pursue a harmonious world with love, liberty and peace. To make the ideal come true, it is critical to expedite the development of human rights and democracy, and to build a stable society with the solid foundation of legislation. Only with the spirit of legislation, can democracy and human rights be cultivated and rooted.

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Tieng Lim (Tai Ji Men Dizi)

Democratic Society and Freedom of Speech

I would like to address the issue of freedom of speech in a democratic society, and begin with the words from Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest leaders of our time who spoke out against apartheid. In his Presidential inaugural address, he said, "Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud."

Freedom of speech covers more than the right to say what's on your mind. In the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution in December of 1948, it states in Article 19 that "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." The UN General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.

What does this mean for me as an individual? To me, it means first of all that I have freedom of thought. And it means that I have the right to express myself freely, without having to fear government interference. It basically means that I have the freedom to talk about freedom of speech and expression in the open. This is an invaluable right.

How about observers looking in on Taiwan? How do they view Taiwan? Regarding the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, in the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Taiwan, which was released in 2001 by the U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, it says that the Constitution provides for freedom of assembly and association, and that the authorities generally respect this right in practice.

Well, perhaps times have improved. It was only several years ago in 1996 that the persons and homes of two Tai Ji Men dizi, Mr. Lee Cheng-Wen, and Ms. Wen Hsui-Chen, were searched by a prosecutor, Mr. Ho Kuan Jen, after the two dizi said good things about Tai Ji Men on TV. The reason for the search was far-fetched and did not conform to the principle of the code of criminal procedure. The search proved unnecessary and encroached on their rights.

How can people know more about their rights? Education is a good start, and a program at the governmental level to promote human rights is a necessity. For instance, the Ministry of Education has initiated a program of human rights education at all levels of the educational system. Another way is through people working together, such as through this conference. Hopefully, the world will reach the day described by Nelson Mandela as "?Ka society of which all humanity will be proud." Thank you.

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Alex Liou (Tai Ji Men Dizi)

President Hong, Mrs. Hong, Dr. Huang, Mrs. Huang, honored guests, friends from the media, and ladies and gentlemen:

Good evening!

"All things follow the laws of nature. The origin of heaven, earth and human beings are one." The Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy is very honored to co-organize the workshop for this historic event, the anniversary of World Citizenship Day in Taiwan, and to join in the various workshop discussions.

The goal of Tai Ji Men is to cultivate our body and mind through practicing qigong, to promote world peace and abolish war, and to further create a harmonious world. In the past few years, through cultural exchange, we have dedicated ourselves to uniting the hearts of people from various countries. We emphasize respect for human rights and a humanitarian spirit, and have received overwhelming support from peace-loving friends around the world.

The four topics initiated by AWC Taiwan for the workshop this year is in-line with the world trend, and also complies with the requirements of our society. This workshop gathers valuable opinions from the cream of the crop of society and the resulting resolution will serve as a good reference for people around the world who are in pursuit of human rights. Meanwhile, it will also serve as a reminder to humankind of the importance of human rights.

As everyone knows, the path to peace is full of obstacles and difficulties. On the way toward a harmonious and peaceful world, we have experienced great challenges and have realized the connection and importance between the protection of human rights and the promotion of world peace.

Today, with genuineness and appreciation, we are very pleased to share our experiences with you. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my gratefulness to friends from around the world for their support and endeavors. Let us work together for human rights and for a peaceful new era. I wish everyone joy and good fortune. Thank you all.

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Zheng-Xian, Huang (perspective of the aborigine)

How to promote human rights through peace education?
-- From the perspective of the aborigine

1. Increase the awareness of minority cultures and their human rights.
2. Highlight the cognition of human rights via education, and thus help develop minority human rights.
3. Closely work with international organizations to leverage ideas and share experience, furthermore, collect and analyze related information systematically to enhance understanding about the minority human rights issues and to draw public's attention in the respective regard.
4. Conduct minority human rights forums/workshops, and integrate data to be served as critical reference for governments while making decision or establishing policies.
5. Champion and promote minority human rights from all aspects.
6. Support minorities around the world for their human rights.
7. Sponsor research projects to study the differences of human rights conditions in minorities around the world.

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Chaomu (Tai Ji Men Dizi from New York)

More than 50 years ago, when United Nations declared the declaration, the most important aspects of human rights protection have been made public. However, more than 50 years have passed by and the universal human rights still do not prevail on earth. Many people still do not understand the rights and freedom until the rights and freedom have been violated and infringed. What is even worse is that there has not been much progress to perfect the legal infrastructure to protect human rights in case of violation. It was great vision to have universal declaration in 1948. However, we need to have concrete actions to make our dream in 1948 come true in 2002.

We are in 100 percent agreement with what has been set forth in the declaration. However, we do believe that we have to go extra miles and do extra work after seeing all those human rights violations.

First of all, we believe the reform of legal enforcement and judicial system is of great importance. Legal enforcement and judicial system is supposed to stop violation of human rights. However, all too often, we are seeing cases of officers, attorneys and prosecutors actually violating and infringing human right, instead of protecting it. So reform of system is necessary to correct the situation.

Secondly, we believe international attention and cooperation is important. In dictatorship and democratic society, international attention is very helpful in forcing local authority to pay attention and bringing back prevailing human rights justice. The most recent example of how international attention helps was the case of national censorship of press media here in Taiwan a few weeks ago. We are very happy to know that there are so many groups working for the same goal as we do. We know we are not alone and it will work eventually.

Thirdly, we think the education of mutual respect and love and peace is imperative in order to create a long-lasting culture of human rights. This is more for the long term. However, if we want to see our children enjoy the fruit of prevailing human rights, the actions have to be taken today and now.

I will conclude my presentation now and turn to our other representative now for further details on how to implement the plans.

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Peter Chao (Tai Ji Men Dizi from San Joes, USA)

How to spread the concept of human rights through peace education

Conclusion

As Dr. Hong Tao Tze said, Peace originates from the harmonious relationship between mankind and nature. Human rights originated from respect between people. We believe only when we learned this concept, can we accordingly know how to spread the concept of human rights through peace education.

The 3 important areas we concluded for practicing for developing human rights
1. From family - Parents are the key to impact the whole family. Therefore, they could participate in the events or forum for more information regarding peace promoting and human rights concerning.
2. From school - Human rights concept should be valued as an item for reviewing. Human rights activities such as forum or workshops should be organized regularly or scheduled on a need basis.
3. From media - Media reporting and Internet message should be a positive image in our society. They can even play the role to arouse people's attention on respecting human rights.

Below are the concepts and examples for reference:
* For those developing countries, it is a good way to cooperate with international organizations for human rights development; people should learn from the international law and accommodate based on its own situation. An example in Taiwan, President Chen has been devoting himself to human rights in recent years, he expects Taiwan could be the role model among developing countries. Therefore, Taiwan should follow the international practice in this regard.
* Viewing the current status in Taiwan, the equality law for both sexes is highlighted, however, the welfare for children as well as the culture and human rights of the aborigine should also be highly addressed and respected.

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