Calling the past century “100 years of suffering for Aborigines,” activists yesterday issued a Declaration of Aboriginal Rights, while also urging the passage of laws that would facilitate and speed up Aboriginal autonomy.
“While the Republic of China [ROC] celebrates the centennial of its founding, that period was an era of painful suffering for us Aborigines,” Taiwan Aboriginal Society chairman Tibusungu ‘e Vayayana told a press conference at the legislature.
“At the beginning [of the 20th century], it was the colonization of Japan, and then it was the Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] regime,” he added.
“Both regimes were colonial regimes to the Taiwanese Aborigines. Both of them imposed severe losses on the Aborigine community in terms of the knowledge and dissemination of our own languages, cultures, traditional domains and traditional lifestyles,” he said.
The destruction of traditional Aboriginal domains not only led to the suffering of Aborigines, but the suffering of all, he added.
“Over-development means that we are constantly threatened by natural disasters, such as mudslides, that turn everyone into a victim,” Vayayana said. “Actually, I wouldn’t call such disasters ‘natural’ at all, because they are the results of human activity and are thus ‘manmade disasters.’”
Former People First Party legislator Tsai Chung-han (蔡中涵) of the Amis tribe, said that, having reviewed the suffering of Aborigines over the past 100 years, “I’ve refused to take part in any -celebration of the ROC’s Centennial anniversary.”
He said the government continued to overlook the rights of Aborigines.
“Right now, we’re talking about improving Aboriginal rights and there are official tribal representatives from the Council of Indigenous Peoples in attendance,” Tsai said. “Well, they don’t have any actual power and I don’t know how it would actually help to share our opinions with them.”
The activists also publicized a Declaration of Aboriginal Rights, in which they urged the government to grant autonomy to Aborigines, protect their rights to land, water and other natural resources in traditional Aboriginal domains, and help to maintain Aboriginal languages, cultures, sacred sites, legends and lifestyles.
KMT Legislator Chien Tung-ming (簡東明) of the Paiwan tribe said that although the Aboriginal Basic Act (原住民族基本法) was passed in 2005 to protect Aboriginal rights, “subordinate laws to the act have not been passed despite a deadline, making it difficult to do anything concrete to protect Aboriginal rights.”
The Aboriginal Basic Act provides only a framework, leaving details to be developed in subordinate laws, and stipulates that all subordinate laws must be passed within three years of the adoption of the Aboriginal Basic Act.
For example, it is impossible to protect Aborigines’ right to non-commercial hunting in their traditional domains — as stated in the Aboriginal Basic Act — because subordinate laws on traditional domains have not been adopted, and the boundaries of such domains have not been defined.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS