First lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍) accepted the 2001 Prize for Freedom awarded by Liberal International on behalf of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in Strasbourg, France yesterday, an honor Chen said also recognizes the people of Taiwan for their remarkable achievements in democratization.
Lord Russell-Johnston, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and vice president of Liberal International, a London-based association of liberal parties from more than 60 countries, presented the prize to Wu at the Winston Churchill meeting room inside the European Parliament building.
Other dignitaries attending the ceremony included Pat Cox, the front runner for the presidency of the European Parliament, Hans van Baalen, vice president of the Liberal International, and David Lee (
In a video message broadcast at the ceremony, Chen said the prize was not awarded to him alone, but also to the people of Taiwan, "who love freedom, uphold peace and respect human rights."
"Despite the PRC's threats of military action, the 23 million great people of Taiwan acted to heal the wounds of the past with love, to conquer fear with determined confidence. By casting their sacred ballots, they brought about the historic first alternation of political power in Taiwan's history. This proud democratic achievement is the best testament to Taiwan's democratic values," Chen said.
Chen also emphasized the efforts he has made in the area of human rights protection, such as the establishment of a Human Rights Advisory Group, and in cross-strait reconciliation since his inauguration in May last year.
"Under the preconditions of maintaining democracy, equality and peace, I will continue to safeguard the peace of the Taiwan Strait and to pursue a new framework for permanent peace and political integration," Chen added.
Chen, however, expressed his "great regret" at being unable to receive the prize in person, a sentiment shared by attendees of the ceremony.
"I am very glad that Madame Chen was able to accept the prize on Chen's behalf. I am disappointed that President Chen didn't get the visa to visit Strasbourg," van Baalen told the Taipei Times.
The Dutch parliamentarian said all 15 members of the EU had refused to grant Chen a visa to accept the award despite efforts made by the organization.
The EU has established an unofficial rule that Taiwan's top five political figures -- the president, vice president, premier and ministers of foreign affairs and defense -- cannot be issued visas, even for private travel.
Even Wu's French visa was issued with strict conditions, such as direct travel from Paris to Strasbourg, immediate departure from France after the ceremony and a restriction against making any public appearances in Paris, van Baalen said.
Wu is scheduled to depart for the Czech Republic today.
Past recipients of the prize awarded by Liberal International include Czech President Vaclav Havel, former president of the Philippines Corazon Aquino and Myanmar's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
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