Pingpu Aboriginal activists have filed a request to the UN, asking it to launch an investigation into the Taiwanese government's refusal to grant them official Aboriginal status.
“To [this] date, the government and the Council of Indigenous Peoples [CIP] still deny the Pingpu people of their history and refuse to register their ethnic group status, saying that they are not indigenous peoples,” said a letter in English addressed to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, James Anaya.
The letter was written by Jason Pan (潘紀揚), director of the Taiwan Association for Rights Advancements for Pingpu Plains Aborigines, on behalf of a number of Pingpu rights groups.
The Pingpu used to live in the plains areas of Taiwan.
They were recognized as Aborigines until the 1950s, when they failed to register their ethnic status with local governments and have been struggling to regain the status in recent decades.
Pingpu activists have taken to the streets several times and filed a lawsuit against the government last month. The petition to the UN is the latest move.
In the letter, Pan cited historical documents from the Dutch, Portuguese and Japanese to show that the Pingpu tribe has been in existence since at least the 17th century.
He also gave detailed accounts of actions that the Pingpu have taken to regain their Aboriginal status as well the government's responses.
“The letter was sent on April 16, and received a confirmation of reception from Anaya on April 28,” Pan told a press conference at the legislature yesterday. “There may be political issues since Taiwan is not a member of the UN, but indigenous issues should not be limited by national boundaries.”
Siraya Culture Association Chairwoman Uma Talavan voiced support for Pan's action.
“Every time when we make a move, that's another chance for our voice to be heard,” Talavan said.
Also see:Ministry’s U-turn incites Aboriginal legislators’ ire
NETWORK-MAPPING PROJECT: The database contains 170 detailed files of Taiwanese politicians and about 23 million records of household registration data in Taiwan China has developed a network-mapping project targeting political figures and parties in Taiwan to monitor public opinion during elections and to craft tailored influence campaigns aimed at dividing Taiwanese society, according to documents leaked by Chinese technology firm GoLaxy (中科天璣). The documents, collected by Taipei-based Doublethink Lab, showed a database was specifically created to gather detailed information on Taiwanese political figures, including their political affiliations, job histories, birthplaces, residences, education, religion and a brief biography about them. Several notable Taiwanese politicians are in the database, including President William Lai (賴清德), former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍),
KEY INDUSTRY: The vice premier discussed a plan to create a non-red drone supply chain by next year, which has been allocated a budget of more than NT$7.2 billion The government has budgeted NT$44.2 billion (US$1.38 billion) to cultivate Taiwan’s uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) industry over the next five years, which would make the nation a major player in the industry’s democratic supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday. Cho made the remarks during a visit to the facilities of Cub Elecparts Inc (為升電裝). Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝依鳳) also participated in the trip. Cub Elecparts has transitioned from the automotive industry to the defense industry, which is the top priority among the nation’s
UPGRADED MISSILE: The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is reportedly to conduct a live-fire test of the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile on Thursday next week The US Army is planning to build new facilities to boost explosives production and strengthen its supply chain, a move aimed at addressing munitions shortages and supporting obligations to partners including Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel, Defense News reported. The army has issued a sources sought notice for a proposed Center of Excellence at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, the report said. The facility would serve as a hub within the US industrial base for the production of key military explosives, including research department explosives (RDX) and high melting explosives (HMX), while also supporting research and development of next-generation materials. The proposed
SOUTH KOREA DISPUTE: If Seoul continues to ignore its request, Taiwan would change South Korea’s designation on its arrival cards, the foreign ministry said If South Korea does not reply appropriately to a request to correct Taiwan’s name on its e-Arrival card system before March 31, the government would take corresponding measures to change how South Korea is labeled on the online Taiwan Arrival Card system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields. Taipei has asked Seoul to change the wording. Since March 1, South Koreans who hold government-issued Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) have been identified as from “South Korea” rather than the “Republic of Korea,” the
RSS