An Interview of Vice President Annette Lu on Human Rights
TL:Your Excellency, earlier we talked about the United Nations designating 1995 to 2004 as the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, and earlier you had given many examples of how Taiwan has progressed in advancing human rights. And one of the ways for Taiwan to help itself raise its standards to those set in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights is to educate people on human rights. Can you please tell us more about this and also what specific goals do you have in mind to carry out human rights education?
VP:The comprehension and enhancement of human rights relies heavily on the concept of the people to respect, to understand human rights. In fact, as earlier as 1979, the opposition leaders in Taiwan organized a human rights rally to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the city of Kaohsiung with the purpose to educate the people about the concept of International Human Rights. Regretful, the rally end up a massive address of virtually all the opposition of human rights activities including myself, making the develop of human rights in Taiwan about 10 years later. However, after most of us got release from prison, we never give up the determination. I as an example, was the first one to bring up the Amnesty International into Taiwan. Currently, the Amnesty International in Taiwan did a wonderful job. Beside that, I think more and more people appreciate the concept, the value of human rights so international conventions and the exchange program for human rights have been going on very well and particularly some NGO's such as the UN/NGO FOWPAL and AWC in Taiwan and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in the past couple years, and I'm sure in the following couple years will do a lot of wonderful work to promote human rights, the exchange program between Taiwan and the international community. Besides, very quickly one can expect that Taiwan under the leadership President Chen and me will have a formal official National Council on Human Rights established. I am in charge of Human Rights Advisory Council to the President. Most recently, we have finished the draft for the establish of National Council on Human Rights. Very quickly the Congress will pass a law then hopefully it will be accepted in accordance with the request of the United Nations. Despite that Taiwan is not a member of UN, I can tell you the government and the people on Taiwan make every effort possible to reach the standard of United Nations including our NGO.
TL:Earlier, you had mentioned using "soft power" to promote human rights. Can you please elaborate more on this? What do you mean by "soft power" and how to achieve this?
VP:Most recently, I have emphasized again and again the philosophy and the value of "soft power," which means human rights, democracy, peace, love and technological progress. Those five items of power were achieved and developed by the people on Taiwan. We are so proud of that, what led us in contrast with the idea of "hard power." "Hard power" is exploitative materialism and military hegemony. However, "soft power" including human rights, democracy, love and peace. In fact is contributory, is constructive and is generous. Very important, this idea will help human kind to change human society instead of competition and confrontation. "Soft power" invite everybody for cooperation and sharing. It is time for cooperation and sharing. The more you share with others, the more you benefit yourself. This idea have been advocate by me everywhere I go, and most recently, I had the chance to visit the Vatican and I shared my philosophy of "soft power," and I am very glad to hear from the Vatican that His Holiness is very pleased with this idea and he even appear compare my philosophy of "soft power" with the philosophy of non-violence led by Mr. Gandhi in India, so whether is called "soft power" or called non-violence philosophy, anyway, is the philosophy for love and peace, philosophy of cooperation and sharing. We really need "soft power" much more than "hard power."
Tieng Lim
AWC Reporter |
