Protect social rights
Eugene Lin's equation of social rights with dictatorial government ("Avoid socialist temptation," Letters, page 8, Aug. 3) is not only false but also harmful to poorer members of society. As someone involved in promoting socio-economic rights, I feel it is my duty to reply.
The whole UN system of human rights works as a whole. It is unhealthy to opt for civil rights, for instance, while neglecting cultural rights, or choose social rights but not political rights. The ROC helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes rights in five areas: civil, political, social, economic and cultural. The ROC also signed the two covenants which enshrine these rights in international law.
Claiming a right does not mean, as Liu thinks, depending on the government to provide education, shelter, and health care. The government has the responsibility to ensure that these things are provided in the country and must step in directly for the poorest people who need help, but a government can allow for private schools, medical care and insurance as well as what is provided directly by the state. This is the case in Taiwan today. Nonetheless, social groups are right to stress socio-economic rights at times when they could be forgotten. Workers suffer when their bosses close factories or move them to other countries. Pure capitalism's belief that the free pursuit of money necessarily leads to wealth for all is not the experience of many poorer people in society.
If a farmer suffers because the country has joined the WTO then the state has a duty to protect his interests since his suffering is a result of a decision by the state. Taiwan can be proud of having a more equitable spread of wealth than some of her neighbors, but if we neglect socio-economic rights that achievement will be undermined and Taiwan will become a society of two cities: the rich and the poor.
Edmund Ryden SJ
Socio-Cultural Research
Center, Fujen University
Hsinchuang
Foreign students beneficial
Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng's (
There are long-term benefits for the people of Taiwan to have students live and study there. Many Chinese-language students now go to China where the cost of living may be cheaper, but the teachers and textbooks are often poor. Impressionable students establish life-long relationships and values during language training.
I greatly benefited from the government's support when earning my graduate degree in Taiwan and can attest to the excellent teachers and educational system at Fu Jen University and National Chengchi University. The government's continued support for language centers and foreign students could further advance Taiwan's long-term interests abroad.
William Carleton Baum
Washington
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