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Civic groups join to denounce passage of Beijing's law

Several civic groups yesterday joined together to express opposition to the passage of China's "anti-secession" law.

At a press conference yesterday, the Taiwan branch of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) called for a peaceful resolution to cross-strait tensions.

"China's anti-secession law will only further exacerbate the `negative status-quo' of cross-strait relations. Facing the current separation, the governments on both sides should employ friendly gestures to promote peace -- this is what the GPPAC sees as a `positive status quo,'" said Chien Hsi-chieh, executive director of the Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan at a press conference yesterday.

Other civic groups attending the press conference yesterday included the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions (全國產業總工會), the Taiwan Labor Front (台灣勞工陣線), the Parents' Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (智障者家長總會), the Awakening Foundation (婦女新知) and the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union (台灣環保聯盟).

Yu Mei-nu (尤美女), president of the National Union of Taiwan Women Association described the passage of China's bill as a textbook domestic-abuse scenario, where bystanders, which Yu likened to countries with international dominance, wished to silence Taiwan over the continual abuse by China.

"The victim is told by bystanders to keep quiet about the violent behavior in order to avoid provoking the abuser. However, real-life experience tells us that keeping quiet about the abuse is a dead-end. It is only victims who stand up against their abusers who may finally find justice for themselves," Yu said.

The Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, along with some university students and other NGOS, are planning to hold a demonstration against the law at the end of this month.

The GPPAC, with the assistance of its Northeast Asia office, is planning to express its opposition to the anti-secession law to all of its international partners.

The GPPAC in Taiwan will make a special presentation on the issue at the GPPAC international conference in New York in July to inform the international community of China's military threats against Taiwan.

The voice of civic society counts, as democracy operates on the basis of the will of the people, the GPPAC in Taiwan said.

"Prior to the US' military invasion of Iraq, civilians from around the world pulled off an impressive online protest. Up until today, the US has yet to be able to fully justify its reasons for the invasion," Chien said.
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