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TAIWAN STRIVING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

April 1, 2002, will be the first Anniversary of "Taiwan World Citizenship Day." Congratulations to Taiwan on reaching this milestone and on making efforts to concern itself with affairs of the international community. At the same time, this will be the best opportunity for people in Taiwan to reconsider how to put the spirit of "Taiwan World Citizen Day" into concrete action. A few days ago according to the headline in Taiwan newspapers, the President of Taiwan wishes to reach the goal of further development of the country, based on human rights. It is such wonderful news for all people in Taiwan because the growth of the country emphasizes not only the development of economy but also the support of human rights and human spirit. In the eyes of the international community, this is essential evaluation of the development of a country.

In today's international community, America always serves as a model for comparison in political, economic and social development. The United States often takes the initiative in helping other countries strengthen their humanitarianism and uphold their human rights. The fruitful results that American people have shared and enjoyed resulted from years of efforts, and did not come at one stroke. Let us take women suffrage for example. Through at least half a century's efforts, American women finally gained the universal right to vote in 1920. Since the end of American Civil War in 1865, the year of the emancipation of slaves, America has been working very hard for the harmonious coexistence of all races within the country. In the course of its efforts, it has met with severe contention and disputes, and to solve problems, it even resorted to force.

People in such a melting pot are usually law-abiding, not because they feel threatened by an autocratic power but because the leader is able to pass on their history and their cultural tradition to fulfill concretely the spirit of the founding of the country. At the same time, the educational system helps the citizenry to develop a realistic and practical attitude toward life. Here in America, everybody is free to express his or her own idea, and everybody is respected for doing so. Whatever is right and worth doing, everybody will stick to it. Such concept is deeply rooted in the hearts of all people, from an individual or family to the whole society or country. This concept in turn produces a positive influence on people. Therefore, we realize that if a country lacks well-organized political structures to establish democratic laws, good educational systems and the function of broadcasting goodwill through media, then people will be unable to develop the necessary attitude to obey laws or to respect others.

Reviewing the history of Taiwan, we learn that Taiwan was colonized and occupied by foreign countries and it miserably went through the event of February 28. Today Taiwan has formed a stable legal system. If human rights have to be upheld through military force, it will be a sheer waste of energy and money, and will jeopardize the stability of the country. People do not demand human rights from their government in order to gain personal advantage over others, nor does the granting of human rights deprive people of their freewill. Human rights are based on humanity and fair justice and they serve as a medium through which people show respect for one another. The government plays a significant role in the process of building up this concept. The example set by a government will greatly influence its people. If law enforcement agencies carry out their responsibilities with integrity, they will open up a new dimension in the existing legal system and will leave a good impression on the international community. In addition, the law enforcement bodies should emulate good models of the international community, appropriately adapt them to our country's policies and implement them without delay.

No matter where we are, we belong to the world community. We share the responsibility for the misfortune and happiness of contemporary and future history. As a member of world citizens, I, who am writing from America, sincerely request that the President of ROC should face up to the support of human rights. The government should set a good example to improve the social atmosphere and to inspire people to cultivate good conduct and to develop the concept of the rule of law. It takes long term effort to write down a new page of history, the kind we will never regret. On this particular occasion "Taiwan World Citizenship Day," it is a good opportunity for everyone to reevaluate his or her position and responsibilities in the international community. We should not celebrate this significant occasion with stirring slogans but instead we should set our course and attain our ideal through concrete action. Right now the government should take the lead in emphasizing the importance of supporting human rights and let the education on human rights take root and let the concept be fulfilled. The generation with world vision will be the one having key people to develop their own country and the global village. May the support of human rights in Taiwan, under the efforts of all members of AWC Taiwan, become the model to other countries.

Pamela Chen
Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Mar.27, 2002

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