Human rights organizations together with Hong Kong, Tibet and Uighur rights advocates rallied in Taipei yesterday, urging people to fight against Chinese aggression, and to petition politicians to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy and not surrender if attacked.
The groups gathered outside the Legislative Yuan in the morning to stage activities ahead of the National Day of the People’s Republic of China today.
Speakers launched a petition to urge politicians to “promise to defend human rights and fight China’s dictatorship,” saying they would ask politicians and lawmakers to sign it in the coming weeks.
Photo: Chiang Ying-ying, AP
Taiwan Association for Human Rights secretary-general Shih Yi-hsiang (施逸翔) said the petition comprises three calls to action: to safeguard human rights; defend Taiwan’s freedom and not surrender if attacked by China; and join forces to counter Chinese expansionism.
Shih said that the allied groups plan to approach politicians and lawmakers across party lines, including candidates running in the local elections, and on Human Rights Day, Dec. 12, would reveal who did and did not sign the petition.
“Taiwan has continued to implement and uphold the values of human rights, in sharp contrast to what is happening in China. Defending human rights is also to defend Taiwan against Chinese military intimidation,” Shih said.
“In Taiwan, we have a vibrant democracy and people can enjoy freedom. These are the strongest weapons against China’s threat of force,” he said.
Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan executive member Tashi Tsering (札西慈仁) said that China has for decades repressed and subjugated Tibetan people, committing atrocities and breaching human rights.
“Although Beijing proclaims to the world that it protects the rights of ethnic minorities, the conditions in Tibet are terrible, as Chinese policies are focused on eradicating the Tibetan people’s culture, language and religion,” Tashi Tsering said.
Hong Kong Outlanders secretary-general Sky Fung (馮詔天) said China is imposing increasing restrictions to phase out freedom and democracy in the territory.
“We must stand up together to work with pro-democracy forces,” he said. “We still have a choice, we must say ‘no’ to Chinese dictatorship, we must choose to fight against China and to never surrender.”
At about noon, the gathering headed to the Bank of China head office near the Taipei City Government building for a brief speech and presentation by members of the Economic Democracy Union, Taiwan East Turkistan Association, Judicial Reform Foundation, Taiwan Forever Association, Taiwan Labor Front, Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association and Covenants Watch of Taiwan, among others.
“China has continued its military maneuvers to intimidate Taiwan, taking up devious means to curtail Taiwan’s participation on international forums. Its disinformation and political propaganda campaigns create division and social strife in Taiwan, aimed at pushing for political extremism and conflict,” the groups said in a joint statement.
“China is providing financial support to their proxies to infiltrate all sectors of Taiwanese society to promote defeatist talk, for surrender to China,” it said.
“We must fight against such dissemination of Chinese propaganda and disinformation, and to stop any politicians from promoting surrender in the guise of ‘peaceful unification,’ and work to cut off Chinese money entering Taiwan to fund for activities by their proxies,” the statement said.
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