YOU Si-kun: Urging international friends upholding democracy to be united to deter the expansion of authoritarian regime to ensure a democratic and free country of the next generation.
Accompanied by Taiwan Parliamentary Hunman Rights Commission Deputy Chair and concurrently Legislator Freddy Lin, Legislator Fan Yun, Legislator Lai Hsiang-ling, Taiwan Parliamentary Hunman Rights Commission Secretary General Wu’er Kaixi, Secretary General Lin jih-jia, Consultant Chou Ya-shu, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, and Department of NGO International Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elvie Wu, President You met with the delegation led by Human Rights Foundation Founder and Chief Executive Officer Thor Halvorssen.
In his remarks, President You expressed his honor to meet with leaders of U.S. Human Rights Foundation and speakers of Oslo Freedom Forum. On behalf of Taiwan’s congress, he extended a warm welcome to them and expressed his respect to all of the distinguished guests for all of them are undaunted and brave fighters and warriors for human rights. Just like the spirit of resilience of Taiwanese forebearers experienced four centuries of colonial rule and 38-year martial law rule after WWII, they opposed authoritarian regimes and fought for democracy and freedom despite countless of political persecution.
President You continued to state that Taiwan’s democracy is the fruit of the blood and tears shed by Taiwan’s forebears. This year marks the centenary anniversary of Taiwan Parliament Anticipation Union. In 1923, they filed petitions to colonial government to form Taiwan Parliament Anticipation Union in accordance with the Imperial Japanese Law. However, a total of 99 people experienced political persecution of the colonial government. They sacrificed their freedom and lives to launch six political association movements with perseverance. Finally the ban on political parties was broken in 1986, the martial law was abolished in 1987 and democratic congress was born in 1993, laying a foundation for Taiwan to become the first modern democratic country in the mandarin-speaking sphere.
President You stated that although Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, six out of nine major human right conventions out of the United Nations have been passed with three readings in the Legislative Yuan and become domestic law to oppose the expansion of the authoritarianism. On May 30 this year, the Legislative Yuan also passed the Immigration Law to prohibit human rights violators to enter Taiwan. In addition, relevant government agencies are studying about the legal process of international conventions on protecting rights and interests of missing people, ban on torture and protection of migrant workers. Once these bills are sent to the Legislative Yuan, it will do its best to forge a cross-party consensus to complete law-making process to be in line with international rights rules.
President You mentioned that the democratic landscape has shrunk over the years. An increasing number of innocent people are persecuted. One of the five UN Security Council members launched a war and another persecute human rights. At the end of August this year, China published Standard Map 2023, which unilaterally included Taiwan, South China Sea islands, and disputable territories between China and India. He called on democratic allies to be united to deter the expansion of authoritarian regime to ensure a democratic, free, peaceful and stable country for the next generation.
President You concluded his remarks by wishing the Oslo Freedom Forum a great success to continue to voice for those who live in the tyranny for a long time. He also hoped that though this forum, all human rights fighters will continue to safeguard democracy and human rights.
In his remarks, Mr. Halvorssen expressed his honor to visit the Legislative Yuan. This year marks the fourth time for Taiwan to host the forum. He was pleased to continue to promote partnership with the government and civil society of Taiwan. He continued to state that Taiwan is a democratic and free country and is also a beacon of hope for all democracies around the world. However, over the years, Taiwan has been persecuted and threated by CCP. The global autocratic regimes are like the CCP political regime, they are trying every means to eradicate universal values of freedom, democracy and human rights. In the future, Human Rights Foundation hopes to continue to cooperate with Taiwan to set up office in Taipei to wake the awareness of the global democracy and freedom to continue to fight for them.
During discussion, Legislators Freddy Lin, Fan Yun, and Lai Hsiang-ling exchanged views on global protection of human rights, democratic initiatives, protection of freedom of speech, strengthening student exchanges and cooperation, expanding Taiwan’s international participation, and deepening bilateral cooperation. The 90-minute meeting concluded after exchange of gifts and group photos in an amicable atmosphere. (E)