Denmark needs to show courage

LIBERAL INTERNATIONAL, A London-based association of major liberal parties from more than 60 countries, awarded this year's Prize for Freedom to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in recognition of his contribution to Taiwan's struggle for freedom and democracy and his personal dedication to human rights and democracy.

The award was announced in February and the association's initial plan was to present the award to Chen in person in Copenhagen in November. But, largely because of pressure from Beijing, the Danish government refused to issue Chen a visa.

The Danish government's decision not only insulted the 23 million people of Taiwan but was also a huge blow to the values of freedom and democracy. It is indeed shameful that a man awarded a prize for freedom is not free to attend the ceremony because of pressure from an undemocratic country.

Sixteen ago, Chen was in jail as a result of Taiwan's struggle for democracy. Today, he is a democratically elected president, yet he remains imprisoned within Taiwan. The price of freedom is indeed great, the turn of events loaded with irony.

The Prize for Freedom is a lot more than an acknowledgement of Chen's contributions to Taiwan's democracy movement. It is also dedicated to those people who joined the fight against the KMT's authoritarian leadership during the 1980s. They struggled for freedom, democracy and human rights for people in Taiwan. As a result, many opposition leaders were jailed. But without their efforts, freedom, democracy and human rights could not have been achieved in Taiwan.

The first peaceful transfer of power was in May of last year and represented the coming to fruition of Taiwan's democracy. After five decades of KMT rule, Taiwan's residents freely chose a different political party to run the government through a free, open and fair election. The change in the nation's ruling party did not slow down government operations, produce political persecution or create social disorder, nor was any blood shed. Taiwan became the first democracy in the history of ethnic Chinese societies and the first government with legitimacy derived from the people.

In his inaugural speech, Chen promised to honor international human rights and to incorporate the Republic of China into the international human-rights system. The Chen administration has sent the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights -- the two most important international human-rights documents -- to the Legislative Yuan for ratification. The administration has also dedicated itself to forming an independent national human rights committee.

These are essential steps if Taiwan is to guarantee human rights and also prove that the government supports freedom and democracy, and, indeed, that Taiwan is one of the world's true democracies.

If Chen were able to personally represent Taiwan at the award ceremony, it would not only be encouraging for the people of Taiwan, but his appearance would also serve as a symbol of hope for those who live under authoritarian rule. Moreover, it would generate hope for the people of China, who share a common Chinese culture with us, and would inspire them to think, "if Taiwan can, China can too."

China's however, which suppresses freedom and human rights, threatens the recognition of these achievements in Taiwan. If Chen is unable to personally receive the prize because of political pressure from such an authoritarian government, this would be a serious setback for global freedom, democracy and human rights. It would also be a serious rebuke to the Danish government and people, as well as Liberal International, the founder of the prize.

If the Danish government is bold enough to adhere to moral principles and finds the courage to issue a visa to Chen, it will risk diplomatic retaliation or vicious abuse from China. An historical perspective, however, suggests that such vindictiveness will be only temporary. Eventually, the Chinese authorities will not be able to resist the global trend of freedom, democracy and human rights.

The Danish government should show the highest moral principles and courage. Only then will freedom, democracy and human rights be able to become universal. When people in China can enjoy full freedom, democracy and human rights like the people of Taiwan, surely they will understand the Danish government's insistence.

It's time for the Danish government to show some moral consciousness and courage.

Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.