Here is a disturbing fact: When it comes to the Taiwan issue, even human rights organizations can be influenced by Beijing.
On Sunday, the Taipei Times reported that Freedom House, a human rights watchdog, expressed interest in setting up a branch in Taiwan.
Freedom House’s interest comes just months after Reporters Without Borders, a press freedom watchdog, set up its first Asia office in Taipei. Both organizations have given Taiwan a high score, citing its freedom and democracy as their reason for setting up an office in the nation.
However, Freedom House added that it likely would not establish a formal office in Taiwan, wishing to “keep a low profile out of concerns that Beijing could pressure it to opt out of the plan.”
What?
This is an organization that ranks China as “not free” and publishes reports condemning China’s human rights abuses, lack of media freedom and religious persecution, among other violations. It has criticized China for “menacing Taiwan” and has cited concerns about Chinese control over Taiwanese politics and the nation’s economy.
Freedom House has applauded Taiwan for holding democratic elections, despite Chinese pressure, but at the same time it is willing to say that it might bow to this exact same Chinese pressure when it comes to setting up an office in Taiwan.
The irony is endless.
The article does not elaborate on this “pressure,” and it seems unlikely that China can directly pressure a non-governmental organization, but China could pressure one of Freedom House’s primary funding sources: the US Department of State.
This is conjecture, but on a more fundamental level, what does it mean for Freedom House’s credibility when it can be influenced by the very country it presumably wants to monitor from Taiwan?
That said, it is still good news that these international non-governmental organizations are taking an interest in Taiwan while the nation’s diplomatic allies continue to jump ship to China. There is no way Taiwan can compete with China in terms of throwing money at nations for diplomatic recognition, but it has something China cannot offer these organizations: security to operate without interference in a free and democratic society.
Given the situation, the government is taking the right steps by investing in a new international non-governmental organization center, which is where Freedom House hopes to open its office.
Announced last year, the NT$2.2 billion (US$71.9 million) project in Taichung’s Wufeng District (霧峰) is in a property once occupied by the Taiwan Provincial Assembly.
Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), who is spearheading the project, has promised that there would be “software” in addition to the “hardware,” including facilitating interaction between local and international groups, and having the building serve as an international talent development center.
While the plans are still under review, the center has already drawn the interest of 101 organizations.
The center is especially interested in those promoting human rights and democracy, humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as women’s rights — causes that are “championed” by Western powers who continue to side with Beijing, despite its poor track record in these areas.
Having organizations such as Freedom House choose Taiwan to open an office in the center would only boost the nation’s visibility and hopefully bring more attention to its plight as China continues to aggressively isolate Taiwan on the international stage.
The Chinese government on March 29 sent shock waves through the Tibetan Buddhist community by announcing the untimely death of one of its most revered spiritual figures, Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche. His sudden passing in Vietnam raised widespread suspicion and concern among his followers, who demanded an investigation. International human rights organization Human Rights Watch joined their call and urged a thorough investigation into his death, highlighting the potential involvement of the Chinese government. At just 56 years old, Rinpoche was influential not only as a spiritual leader, but also for his steadfast efforts to preserve and promote Tibetan identity and cultural
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
Former minister of culture Lung Ying-tai (龍應台) has long wielded influence through the power of words. Her articles once served as a moral compass for a society in transition. However, as her April 1 guest article in the New York Times, “The Clock Is Ticking for Taiwan,” makes all too clear, even celebrated prose can mislead when romanticism clouds political judgement. Lung crafts a narrative that is less an analysis of Taiwan’s geopolitical reality than an exercise in wistful nostalgia. As political scientists and international relations academics, we believe it is crucial to correct the misconceptions embedded in her article,
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), caused a national outrage and drew diplomatic condemnation on Tuesday after he arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office dressed in a Nazi uniform. Sung performed a Nazi salute and carried a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as he arrived to be questioned over allegations of signature forgery in the recall petition. The KMT’s response to the incident has shown a striking lack of contrition and decency. Rather than apologizing and distancing itself from Sung’s actions,
RSS