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Presidential election 2008: 14 days to go: Frank Hsieh unveils Aboriginal white paper

Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Frank Hsieh gives the thumbs-up at a gathering in Taipei yesterday. PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES

Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday unveiled his Aboriginal policy white paper, which includes a pledge to set up a commission to investigate injustices suffered by Aborigines.

"The commission will investigate injustices perpetrated by the government and compensate Aborigines accordingly," Hsieh told an event attended by hundreds of Aboriginal representatives.

"In addition, if elected, I will apologize to Aborigines on behalf of the government. But, first of all, I need your support," he said.

Hsieh's white paper says that Aborigines, as the earliest inhabitants of Taiwan, deserve respect. Aborigines have the right to self-determination, it says.

Hsieh said he would recognize and respect Aborigines' rights to autonomy, natural resources and property.

"I would set up Aboriginal courts in which conflicts can be resolved in accordance with traditional Aboriginal laws and customs. For example, some tribes plant bamboo to mark their territory -- this practice could be recognized in court," he said.

Hsieh promised to increase Aboriginal participation in government by requiring Aboriginal representation in institutions such as the Constitutional Court, the Control Yuan and the Examination Yuan.

He said the social welfare system also needed to be reformed.

"We should build an Aboriginal-oriented social welfare system that can actually meet Aborigines' needs," Hsieh said.

At a separate setting yesterday, Hsieh said he would establish a "single window" system to help immigrants resolve problems they encounter in Taiwan.

"Immigrants have brought pluralism to Taiwan. We should regard pluralism as an asset, not a burden. Despite differences in birthplace, we are all Taiwanese," Hsieh said.

Ministry of the Interior figures show that there are 400,000 foreign nationals residing in Taiwan, a dramatic increase from 44,000 in 1992.

If immigrants from China are counted, the figure climbs to 552,000, approximately 2.4 percent of the total population.

Hsieh said the government was obliged to provide support for new immigrants as they might experience difficulties stemming from linguistic and cultural differences.
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