Several civic groups yesterday demanded that the Assembly and Parade Law (
"The law is supposed to ensure the public's freedom to assemble and stage rallies; instead, it has become a means for the police to suppress public opinion," said Liu Ching-yi
Lin made the remarks at a hearing organized by Taiwan Solidarity Union Legislator Lai Shin-yuan (
Huang Te-pei (
"Last May, our labor union was protesting in front of the headquarters of Chunghwa Telecom. It was a legal action, but the police tried to disperse us," said Simon Chang (張緒中), president of Chunghwa Telecom's Workers' Union.
Under current regulations, the police are given the power to permit or deny applications for assembly, restrict protesters' activities, maintain order and dismiss an assembly, but no norm is given as to how this power should be exercised.
The alliance called for cancelation of the regulation that people cannot assemble without a permit, demanding that this be replaced by registration.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (
She suggested that the government to abolish the Assembly and Parade Law.
Liu said that the freedom of assembly, which allows the public to voice their opinion, is a very important element of a civil society.
"It's hard to build up a real civil society if people can't shake off the fear of being dispersed, arrested, or indicted because of their participation in a gathering," Liu said.
Vice Minister of the Interior Chien Tai-lang (
"I know the Assembly and Parade Law is not perfect. However, the main purpose of it is still to defend people's freedom of assembly, and maintaining order is supplementary. We still need the law, but we are open to making changes," Chien said.
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