Wild Strawberries Major Events (11/3 - 12/1)

Nov. 3-5, 2008

ARATS Chairman Chen Yun-lin visits Taiwan for high level talks with the government concerning Taiwan's future, and is given massive police protection. However, numerous instances of police officers illegally violating the rights to freedom of speech, and freedom of movement occur, with citizens expressing certain opinions specifically targeted. Tension between the police and citizens continues to grow, culminating in violence.

Nov. 5

University students and faculty concerned about human rights and the regression of democracy in Taiwan, and angry with the abuse of power by government and law enforcement agencies, link up over the Internet, deciding to stage a peaceful sit-in in front of the Executive Yuan in protest.

Nov. 6

Starting at 11AM, some 500 university students and faculty wearing black clothing and face masks stage a sit-in at the gates of the Executive Yuan, demanding apologies from President Ma and Premier Liu, the resignation of the directors of the National Police Agency and National Security Bureau, and the revision of the Parade and Assembly Law; police issued four warnings declaring the protest illegal. The Executive Yuan sent out two sets of low ranking officials to placate the students and faculty, who rejected their overtures after voting on the issue. Protesters erected a cordon around the sit-in for protection, but welcomed all citizens not carrying any partisan slogans or signs to join in the sit-in.

On the same day, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) launched a massive demonstration to protest the Ma-Chen meetings. After police issued the fourth warning to the students, DPP personnel expressed their concern and suggested that the students move to a location near the Legislative Yuan where the DPP had a permit for lawful assembly, but was rejected unanimously by all of the students and faculty. The same evening, a violent confrontation between participants in the DPP-led march and police occurred at the Grand Hotel, and was forcibly suppressed by police before midnight. Students and faculty at the Executive Yuan sit-in prepare themselves psychologically to be dispersed as well.

Nov. 7

At 10:50AM, Cabinet Secretary-General Hsueh Hsiang-chuan emerged to meet with the protesting students and faculty, engaging in a fruitless one hour exchange before leaving. A question asked to Hsueh by a student concerning human rights is quoted out of context by the media, who distort the student's words and claim that he insulted Hsueh by saying he "is not human".

Starting from 4PM, police officers finish assembling and begin dispersing the sitting students, carrying them onto a police bus, and driving most of them to National Taiwan University (others were dropped off at Neihu). Faculty members continued the sit-in until 7PM before being dispersed by police. Starting around 6PM, the students began to reassemble at Liberty Square, with some 800+ students participating. The faculty members held a press conference before the gates of Liberty Square around 8PM to explain the motivations behind the protest. At this time, the leadership of the movement had been completely passed to the students present, who resolved to continue the sit-in without applying for an assembly permit, characterizing it as a student-led movement of civil disobedience.

Nov. 8

Students at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan begin a sit-in in solidarity at the campus gates.

Heavy rain, tents are erected at Liberty Square and sleeping bags are provided.

President Ma visits police officers injured in operations during Chen Yun-lin's visit.

Nov. 9

Students in Central Taiwan begin a sit-in at Civic Plaza in Taichung to show solidarity with the students protesting in Taipei and Tainan.

After a joint meeting between students in Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan, the protests are officially named the "Wild Strawberry Student Movement".

Nov. 10

Emphasis is placed on demanding the revision of the Parade and Assembly Law, with the slogan "Parade and Assembly Law is unconstitutional, human rights are disappearing".

484 university professors and Academia Sinica researchers sign a joint statement supporting the Wild Strawberries.

During an interview with ETTV, Premier Liu claims that demands for apologies "were not consistent with mainstream opinion", but would hold a public hearing on potentially revising the Parade and Assembly Law. However, concerning the protests, he also casually remarked that "this sort of thing will blow over in two days".

Students in Hsinchu begin a sit-in in front of the food court at National Tsing Hua University in solidarity with the Wild Strawberries.

Students in Kaohsiung bgin a sit-in at the Urban Spotlight in solidarity with the Wild Strawberries.

Education Minister Cheng Jei-cheng visits the students at dusk. Some media outlets laugh at the students for not recognizing the minister.

Documentary films begin to be shown every evening at Liberty Square, and seminars are held, in order to convey the concepts of democracy, human rights, and caring for the underprivileged.

Nov. 11

At noon, 80 year old Liu Po-yan sets himself on fire at Liberty Square to protest government actions during Chen Yun-lin's visit. He is rushed to the hospital and remains there recovering after emergency treatment. The Wild Strawberries express their sympathy and begin a donation drive for Mr. Liu. The KMT refuses to visit Mr. Liu in the hospital, claiming at he let his KMT party membership lapse, and normally watched political talk shows associated with the pan-green (opposition) bloc.

Starting at 6PM, 16 social activist groups begin a nightly one hour silent procession at the sit-in site to show solidarity with the Wild Strawberries.

President Ma claims that "The problem isn't voluntary reporting [of planned assemblies], the problem is violence".

Nov. 12

The Wild Strawberries present video evidence of police overreaction during Chen Yun-lin's visit, as well as statements from victims.

Students in Chiayi begin a sit-in at 228 Park in solidarity with the Wild Srawberries.

Nov. 13

The Legislative Yuan KMT caucus holds a public hearing concerning revision of the Parade and Assembly Law. However, the Wild Strawberries were neither notified, nor invited.

Some 200 artists present the "Reject Silence, Defend Freedom of Expression" petition, and appear at Liberty Square to show solidarity with the Wild Strawberries.

In the evening, a meeting is held at Liberty Square to decide upon a future course of action, eventually resolving to continue the protest past Saturday. It is also decided to hold a large rally on Saturday, to be organized by the students participating.

Nov. 14

Representatives from the Sunrise Record Store, and Professor Chang Hsueh-Kung of the NTU Civil Engineering Department meet with the students at Liberty Square. They describe what actually happened the day the store was forcibly shuttered by police after playing Taiwanese songs within earshot of Chen Yun-lin, and call again on the government to admit its mistake.

Some 20 students in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University stage a sit-in and video link up with the students at Liberty Square, expressing their solidarity with the Wild Strawberries.

Tibetan representatives in Taiwan visit the students at Liberty Square to show their support, and present the students with khatas.

At noon, the graduate student union at National Political University holds an on-campus seminar explaining the goals of the Wild Strawberry Movement.

Nov. 15

Wild Strawberries, academics, and NGOs hold a rally at Liberty Square, with a mass sit-in, seminars, and skits. Three students volunteer to be locked in cages for 24 hours as a symbol of protest. A public forum is also held. Over 500 students participate.

In the evening, two masked females hold up posters accusing students participating in the sit-in of using raised funds for personal gain, and refuse to speak, leading to tension with bystanders. They are finally escorted away under the protection of Wild Strawberry members.

Another group calling themselves the "Small Blueberries" arrive around 8PM, with the intention of heckling students at the sit-in, but are too afraid to approach the site. They quickly withdraw to the Jing-fu Gate to pose for the media before dispersing.

During a TV interview in Taichung, President Ma states that "Taiwanese students are very competitive before high school, but are weaker in college".

Nov. 16

The three students in the cages emerge and call on President Ma to engage in dialog with the students, in order to debate the merits of their respective positions.

It is decided to establish a "Wild Strawberry Land" free from state sponsored violence, construction plans begin.

Three Wild Strawberry students in Kaohsiung attempt to present their grievances before President Ma during his visit to that city, but are stopped, chased, and threatened by police.

Students at Liberty Square proceed to Taipei Main Station to hand out leaflets, while passing by the edges of the Bo-ai Special District, they are warned and disrupted by police.

Nov. 17

Internal KMT caucus meeting at the Legislative Yuan agrees to revise the Parade and Assembly Law to a registration system.

During a hastily conviened meeting at Liberty Square that evening, a heated debate occurs over future plans and organization.

Nov. 18

The National Police Administration completes its self-assessment of performance during Chen Yun-lin's visit, concluding that they had "successfully completed the objectives of protecting the delegates' safety and ensuring the smooth completion of the meeting", and that while a few officers should be trained in precise enforcement techniques, there was no abuse during enforcement.

Police demand the media provide them with photographs and videos showing suspected agitators during the violent confrontations. The Association of Taiwan Journalists state that they refuse to be instruments of the police, and proceed to the National Police Administration to present their grievances, but do not receive a response.

Nov. 19

The Legislative Yuan Internal Administration Committee reviews the proposed amended Parade and Assembly Law. The version presented by executive agencies still requires three days notification, and retains provisions for restricted areas, government power to declare assemblies illegal, and power to disperse. The Wild Strawberries and the NGOs express their strong opposition, and propose adopting a system of "voluntary notification".

Professor Yen Liur-fen of the music department at the Taipei National University of the Arts leads several musicians to Liberty Square, where they hold a small concert in support of the students.

The "Funeral for Human Rights" is completed. Starting on Thursday, the ceremony is open to the public to mourn the death of human rights.

A seminar is held in the evening at the NTU social sciences department to explain the objectives of the movement.

Nov. 20

The Judicial Reform Foundation holds a press conference at Liberty Square, establishing a group of lawyers to fight police brutality, and initiating a second wave of lawsuits against police abuses. They call on President Ma to stop feigning ignorance of the situation.

The Wild Strawberry "Taiwan Human Rights Mourning Committee" sends obituaries to the Presidential Office, the Executive Yuan, the National Security Bureau, the National Police Agency, and the KMT and DPP, inviting them to a "funeral service for our human rights".

Beitou Precinct Chief Lee Han-ching, responsible for shuttering the Sunrise Record Store, is questioned by the Taipei City Council, and denies all allegations of overzealous enforcement.

Nov. 21

Legislative Yuan Internal Administration Committee convener Wu Yu-sheng visits Liberty Square, handing students an invitation to the public hearing scheduled for 11/27. At the evening meeting, the students decide to send representatives.

The Ministry of Justice presents new regulations requiring schools and other similar public organizations select "ethics officers", raising allegations that the Martial Law era informant system (人二室) was being resurrected.

Nov. 22

Famed scholar Ronald Dworkin visits Liberty Square to better understand the situation.

In the evening, students hold a candlelight vigil to mourn human rights in Taiwan.

A demonstration is held in Kaohsiung with skits mocking President Ma, demanding that he turn his thinking around.

Nov. 23

The human rights funeral service is held in the morning, with several NGOs also participating. The scene is solemn and sad. The planned funeral procession is replaced with a stationary casket, due to lack of funeral home help.

DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ying-wen arrives at Liberty Square to participate in the activities, and publicly aplogizes for the failure of the DPP to amend the Parade and Assembly Law during its time as the ruling party.

As part of the long term protest, the Wild Strawberries formally establish the Wild Strawberry band, erect a tower and four prefabricated buildings (the newsroom, kitchen, exhibit room, and video room), and and perform several protest skits. Professor Yen Liur-fen of the Taipei National University of the Arts holds a "Musicians supporting the Wild Strawberries" concert, with several musicians and composers participating.

Nov. 24

American human rights activist Lynn Miles visits to express her concern, and agrees to help mobilize international support.

Representatives from academia and various NGOs march to the Control Yuan to file complaints against the directors of the National Police Agency and National Security Bureau. Their petitions are received by Control Yuan member Huang Huang-hsiung. The participating professors and NGO members return to Liberty Square to update the students on progress with social mobilization.

The website of the Wild Strawberries in Tainan is suddenly shut down without warning, but returns two days later, after complaints are filed.

Administrators at National Taiwan University issue orders for a "neutral, apolitical campus where the Wild Strawberries may not enter", and refuse to allow students to borrow equipment to film a documentary.

Nov. 25

The seminar originally planned to be held at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology is canceled, after campus administrators refuse to loan campus space, following concerns from various faculty members.

All police precinct chiefs involved in the operations during Chen Yun-lin's visit are promoted by the National Police Administration.

Nov. 26

Wild Strawberries from Kaohsiung visit Taipei to update the students at Liberty Square on recent developments, and convey the support and good wishes of Wild Strawberries outside Taipei. The atmosphere is enthusiastic as the students learn to sing the "Wild Strawberry Fight Song".

Students at the sit-in form groups of 5 to 7, to increase unity and the general level of organization.

The Wild Strawberries return to the Executive Yuan, with groups of two alternately sitting in protest for one hour each.

Nov. 27

Wild Strawberries send representatives to attend the public hearing by the Legislative Yuan Internal Administration Committee concerning revisions to the Parade and Assembly Law. While the Legeslative Yuan states that the law may be amended during this legislative session, the positions of the students and the legislators still cannot be reconciled, with the students insisting on a voluntary notification system.

In the afternoon, Losheng Sanitarium support groups proceed to the Executive Yuan to protest demolition of the sanitarium by the government, which reneged on its earlier promises. Students from the Wild Strawberry Movement also attend to show support.

Wild Strawberry seminar at Chang Gung University.

Nov. 28

At noon, Wild Strawberry students hold a march on the National Taiwan University Campus, calling on all students to stand up and defend human rights.

Wild Strawberries in Central Taiwan decide to end the sit-in the next day, and move instead to mobilizing support on campus, and deepening the roots of democracy and human rights.

Nov. 29

Veteran social activist Chien Hsi-chieh holds a lecture on nonviolent resistance at Liberty Square, in preparation for the large rally on 12/7.

Documentary film on Lo-sheng(樂生) Sanitarium preservation efforts is shown, to gain support for groups protesting its imminent demolition.

Nov. 30

The "Wild Strawberry Musical Memorial" is held beginning at 10AM, with several independent bands and musicians participating to show their support for the students, and their concern for society.

Wild Strawberries in Kaohsiung hold a protest march criticizing the return of authoritarianism, and the suppression of human rights.

Dec. 1

At 8AM, two Wild Strawberry students lie on the driveway in front of the Executive Yuan with protest signs, protesting the government ignoring the students' demands. The two are detained by police under the Social Order Preservation Law, and interrogated at the police station.

Taiwan police disperse student protesters against Lo-Sheng Sanatorium relocation

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The controversial Lo-Sheng Sanatorium relocation began Wednesday as police started dispersing hundreds of students staging a protest on site.

Students had staged a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Health on Monday, asking Minister Yeh Chin-chuan (葉金川) to protect the cultural heritage of Lo-Sheng by applying to related organizations to designate the Sanatorium a historic monument.(more)

[Taipei Times] New media is a potent instrument for change

In the past, if mainstream media did not cover certain incidents, nobody would have known about it. Today, the Wild Strawberry Student Movement has made use of the Internet to link up protesters across the country and created a new force. Nevertheless, the students would be well advised to consider how they could improve their movement.

Traditional media outlets have argued that the Wild Strawberry Student Movement would be difficult to maintain because President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) have adopted a strategy of waiting until the demonstrators give up. This is why the student movement has encountered so many setbacks. Distorted and slanderous media coverage of the movement has given rise to biased public opinion toward the group.(more)

[Taipei Times] EDITORIAL: Will Ma crush the Strawberries?

Wednesday, Dec 03, 2008, Page 8

The Wild Strawberry Student Movement, it seems, has had enough of the government beating around the bush. On Sunday, it will attempt to bring the debate over the Assembly and Parade Law (集會遊行法) to a head by rallying about 1,000 people to demonstrate without a police permit.

As the marchers head down Ketagalan Boulevard to the Presidential Office, the government and police will be forced to come down against a sensible exercise in civil disobedience or send the message that demonstrating without a permit will be tolerated. The organizers have advertised well in advance that they intend to break the law, which is nothing more than a relic of the Martial Law era and a blemish on Taiwan’s democracy that should have been amended long ago.(more)

[Taipei Times] [LETTER] KMT's old habits die hard

Wednesday, Dec 03, 2008, Page 8
......
Likewise, to distract people from the deals inked between the two sides during Chen’s visit, Ma fabricated political quarrels over revisions to the Assembly and Parade Law (集會遊行法).

Ma would like Beijing to see the merits of allowing the KMT to rule Taiwan in perpetuity while resisting the urge to forcefully annex Taiwan, an act that would assuredly provoke a regional conflict.

The morphing of Taiwan into a police state is also a way for Ma to identify with Beijing in terms of values — a forerunner to China and Taiwan teaming up against the West. (Full Text)

[i-Report] Taiwan Wild Strawberries Movement

We are a group of students comprising students from universities all over Taiwan; we do not belong to any parties or political organizations before we joined wild strawberry.

Our generation in Taiwan is called the "strawberry" generation, meaning we are spoiled to be able to afford stress. However, today we stand out for a better future!

Today is our 25th day peaceful sit-in protest at the Liberty Square in Taipei (Former Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall).

Your supports are very crucial for us, we hope this document will help you understand our "democracy in danger" in Taiwan, an country next to Hong Kong, Japan, China and Philippine in East Asia. Please come to join our parade on 7th December 2008.

(i-Report Page)

San Diego's Taiwanese support WSM!

Many among Taiwanese in the U.S. are well educated but we are not arrogant. More often than not, we not only learn from each other but also from others outside of our group. For example, many of us have been learning from the WSM student protesters. Although young and inexperienced, they have proven to be quick learners, very determined and innovative. It is clear that they have won wide-spread support, in and out of Taiwan, of their movement.

In response to their call for support of their planned parade on Sunday, December 7, members of San Diego Taiwanese American community are planning to sponsor an event at San Diego Taiwan Center on December 7. We think these young people deserve our support and encouragement. Some other communities are doing the same.

Increasing number of us think that the baton has to be shared with and even passed on to the younger generation. The future of Taiwan are mostly in the hands of the freedom-loving young people of Taiwan.

To what you are doing in fighting for freedom and democracy, "BRAVO!" we shout.

--Ching-chih Chen, a retired college professor

"Shame on Government - Walk out Back Door"--Two protest stuents were captured by more than 20 police officiers

On December, 1st, 2008, Zhen Zhe-Xiou(鄭哲修) and Su Hung-Rung(蘇紘融), two of students in Wild Strawberries Movement (WSM), took peaceful and grave actions to accuse of the Taiwan government which had not ever responded directly to the three WSM appeals. Zhen(鄭哲修) studied in the Department of Mathematics at the National Taiwan University and Su (蘇紘融) studied in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling at the National Taiwan Normal University. These two students considered that the people, who refused to take political responsibility for limiting the freedom of speech and harming human rights during the Chen Yun-Lin's (陳 雲林) visit, were unworthy of crossing through the main entrance. Therefore, at 8:30 A.M on December, 1st, these two students silently laid at the main entrance of the Executive Yuan for protesting. Because they considered that the Executive Yuan rejected to hear Taiwanese people's voice and could not provide sound and suitable explanation to what Executive Yuan violated and overruled during the Chen's visit, they only could "silently laid" to express their anger.

WSM always held peace, rationality, and non-violence from the beginning. Zhen(鄭哲修) and Su(蘇紘融) only could actively take actions to let the Taiwan government perceive when the government was blind to the occurrence of human rights violations in Taiwan. Indeed, these two students' action was the best practice of the non-violent resistance.

However, in the beginning five minutes of Zhen(鄭哲修) and Su(蘇紘融)'s action, policemen/policewomen immediately warned their silent-lay. After two warns, these two students advocated, "Shame on government! Walk out back door!" and "No government apology for its illegal actions. Human rights lay and die in Executive Yuan." Under the circumstance of twenty policemen/policewomen surrounding, they were lifted into the police car and were taken for further investigation in the police department of the Zhongzheng First Police District, Taipei City . At last, this silent-lay protest only continued for ten minutes.

When knowing Zhen(鄭哲修) and Su(蘇紘融) were taken for further investigation in the police station, the WSM students instantly informed of and sought assistance for the Lawyer Lin (林峰正) of Judicial Reform Foundation. During the investigation, the police indicated that Zhen(鄭哲修) and Su(蘇紘融) violated The Social Order Maintenance Law Aritcle 68. item 2(第68條第2款). These two students kept silent, were unwilling to cooperate with the police's inquest, and refused to sign up the deposition record by policemen/policewomen. Ultimately, Zhen(鄭哲修) and Su(蘇紘融) left the police station accompanied with the Lawyer Lin (林峰正).

WSM completely supports Zhen(鄭哲修) and Su(蘇紘融)'s silent-lay action. WSM believes that they held the resolution for nonviolent resistance to confront potential national violence and their action was full of courage. In addition, WSM respects that the police administered the law. However, these two students have already taken legal responsibility which they probably have to face. The police administered its power based on The Social Order Maintenance Law Article 68. item 2(第68條第2款): the person who creates troubles for inhabitants, factories, companies, public places, and locations for public pass. WSM wants to ask. The entrance of the Executive Yuan is not only one. Zhen(鄭哲修) and Su(蘇紘融) did not obstacle entire traffic lanes and block any cars' passing. As a result, what kinds of troubles which these two student created break the harmony at the main entrance of the Executive Yuan?
In the past, there are some stories regarding the common people stating and pleading by stopping the officers sitting in sedan chair. Why do the common people, even two students, have no opportunity to express and protest at the main entrance of the Executive Yuan, particularly in this democratic Taiwan society? For tackling these two students of WSM, it is incredible that the Executive Yuan arranged twenty to thirty policemen/policewomen to surround two students and forcefully lift them away. Does this action represent the scholar leadership of Liou (Former president of NCTU)？ If the government views the common people as the condemnable folks, one day, finally the people will spurn this government.

Going “Wild” on December 7th – Country without Violence, Strawberries March Foward

The Wild Strawberries Movement at Liberty Square held a meeting with representatives from all over Taiwan in preparation for the “Going ‘Wild’ on December 7th” rally. Wild Strawberries across the country will once again meet at Liberty Square for its strongest showing yet to counter the government’s arrogance and apathy thus far.

“Going ‘Wild’ on December 7th” is the theme of this rally. The month-long Wild Strawberries Movement would like to demonstrate its “wildness” to its supporters and the arrogant Administration; the Wild Strawberries have not given up and the movement has continued to grow. Since its inception, the Wild Strawberries have upheld the same pleas and ideals - “Apology [for rights violations], Resignation [of responsible officials], and Amendment [of Parade & Assembly Law]”. This rally will serve as an opportunity for Taiwanese citizens to experience the Wild Strawberries’ explosive strength and for the government to hear the consolidated angry voices of the Wild Strawberries. More importantly, the Wild Strawberries maintains its appeal that the government directly responds to the public and the Wild Strawberries, and stop state sanctioned power abuse.

The Wild Strawberries will only “voluntarily report” plans to hold the December 7th rally to law enforcement authorities instead of waiting for the ineffective Legislative Yuan to amend the Parade and Assembly Law’s approval requirement. The rally route will be provided to the Zhongzheng First District of the Taipei City Police Department in order for the police to direct traffic accordingly. We sincerely hope that law enforcement authorities will safeguard rather than trample on our freedom to assemble with violent tactics. The Wild Strawberries will also send out a team of individuals to maintain order.

The December 7th rally participants will consist of students for the most part, but also cordially invite all private citizens who support our endeavors. In addition to the students, academics and NGOs have signed up for the rally, with over a thousand expected rally participants. Students from the Wild Strawberries Movement will be responsible for maintaining order of the movement. We will hold a pre-rally press conference to explain the itinerary and to promote the principle of non-violent civil disobedience; our goal is to hold the rally under the principles of peace, rationality, and non-violence.

The route for the December 7th rally will begin with Liberty Square, and continue on to the National Police Agency, the Executive Yuan, the Legislative Yuan, and the Presidential Office. The Wild Strawberries will have different activities at each location. The “Country without Violence, Wild Strawberries March Forward” march will commence at 1 p.m. from Liberty Square and we look forward to your participation.

Scholars Find Taiwan's Minster of Justice's Response Inadequate

Saturday November 29, by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.

The previous posting of Taiwan's Minister of Justice's response to the JOINT STATEMENT of the scholars and writers (posted November 15) did not address the real issues of the erosion of justice in Taiwan. Ignoring numerous other protests also listed below, the Minister's response appears to hide behind the technicalities of the Constitution. Taiwan's current Constitution has many inadequacies; among them is that it was created for continental China but ill fits the island nation of Taiwan. By the Minister's implication it is so broad that it allows numerous abuses that may be technically within the letter of the law but far from the spirit and purpose of the law. For this reason it can allow the selective application to one's political opposition and still fall under the umbrella of the Constitution. For that reason, the scholars/writers of the first statement on the erosion of justice in Taiwan felt obligated to respond in specifics to the Minister's letter. That response can be found below.

November 28th 2008

The Honorable Wang Ching-feng

Minister of Justice

Taipei, Taiwan

Dear Minister Wang,

In an open letter to the Taipei Times, published on November 25th 2008, you responded to our joint statement regarding the erosion of justice in Taiwan. We appreciate your acknowledgment of the sincerity of our concerns, and are grateful to receive a prompt and serious reply. Based on the information available to us, however, we remain concerned about choices made by prosecutors in applying existing legal authority and strongly believe in the need for reform. Please allow us to highlight a number of specific points:

1. The procedure of "preventive detention." This procedure is obviously intended for serious criminal cases in which the suspect is likely to flee the country. In his November 13th article in the South China Morning Post, Professor Jerome Cohen states that "it ought to be invoked rarely."

Yet, during the past weeks, it has been used across the board, and it has been used only against present and former members of the DPP government. This casts severe doubts on the impartiality of the judicial system. We also wish to point out that the people involved were detained under deplorable circumstances, and that they were not even allowed to see relatives.
2. The open letter contains the argument that when they were detained, the present and former DPP government officials "were all informed of the charges that had been brought against them." This is simply not correct: when they were detained, they were subject to lengthy interrogations in some cases for up to 20 hours which bore the character of a "fishing expedition," and is not a formal indictment in any legal sense. In most cases the prosecutors had had months of time to collect information: if they did have sufficient evidence of wrong-doing, they should formally have charged the persons and let them have their day in a scrupulously impartial court of law. That would be the desirable procedure under the rule of law in a democratic society.
3. The open letter also states that the persons involved had "the right and ability to communicate with their attorneys to seek legal assistance." It neglects to mention that in all cases where people were detained, the discussions with the lawyers were recorded and videotaped, while a guard took notes. This information was then immediately transmitted to the respective prosecutors. We don't need to point out that this is a grave infringement on international norms regarding the lawyer-client privilege, and makes mounting an adequate defense problematic at best.
4. On the issue of leaks to the press, the letter states that under the Code of Criminal Procedure information on ongoing investigations can only be disclosed by spokespersons of the prosecutor's offices and that unauthorized disclosure is subject to criminal prosecution. The fact of the matter is that during the past weeks, the media has been filled with information on the ongoing investigations which could only have come from the prosecutors. We may point out one example, but there are ample others:

Only a few hours after former Foreign Minister Mark Chen was questioned on November 3rd, the Apple Daily (a local tabloid) ran an article that "the prosecutors are thinking of charging Dr. Chen in relation to the case."

The issue of violation of the principle of secret investigation was also raised by Shih Lin District Court Judge Hung Ing-hua, who strongly criticized the present situation and procedures followed by your Ministry in an article in the "Liberty Times" on November 17th 2008.

We may also mention that we find it highly peculiar that no steps whatsoever have been taken against the various prosecutors who leaked information, while we just learned that your ministry is now taking steps against Mr. Cheng Wen-long, the lawyer for former President Chen Shui-bian, who presumably "leaked" information to the press. Your Ministry sent a formal request to the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office asking the office to investigate and prosecute, and also sent a formal request to Taiwan Lawyer's Association and asked the association to review the case and see whether Cheng should have his license revoked.

It is our understanding that the statements Mr. Cheng made were in relation to former President Chen's views on Taiwan's situation and its future, and an expression of love for his wife, but did not have any bearing on the case against him. We hope your Excellency realizes that if you proceed along these lines, this will be perceived as a direct confirmation of the strong political bias of the judicial system.

5. The letter states that it is untrue that Taiwan's judicial system is susceptible to political manipulation. If this is the case, how can it be explained that in the past weeks, only DPP officials have been detained and given inhumane treatment such as handcuffing and lengthy questioning, while obvious cases of corruption by members of the KMT - including in the Legislative Yuan - are left untouched by the prosecutors or at best stalled in the judicial process?

We may also refer to expressions of concern by Prof. Jerome Cohen and by lawyer Nigel Li, who expressed his deep concerns about the preventive detentions in an editorial in the "China Times" on November 9, 2008. In his editorial, Mr. Li praised the remarks made by prosecutor Chen Rui-ren, who was part of the legal team prosecuting the special fund cases, that the prosecutors' offices should "avoid the appearance of targeting only one particular political group."

The fact that the Special Investigation Task Force was set up under the DPP Administration or that the prosecutor general was nominated by President Chen is not at issue here. The problem is that the present system is being used in a very partial fashion.

We may add that the fact that you yourself have publicly discussed the content of the cases does create a serious imbalance in the playing field, and undermines the basic dictum that a person should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Under the present circumstances it is hard to see how the persons involved including former President Chen Shui-bian can have a fair trial in Taiwan.

6. Lastly, you take the statement by the US State Department as an "endorsement" of Taiwan's legal system and the procedures followed. You might want to note that in international diplomatic language, the term we have every expectation means we are concerned and we will watch the situation closely.

For the past two decades, Taiwan has faced a difficult situation internationally. What has given Taiwan important credibility in Western democratic countries around the world has been its democratization. We fear that the current judicial procedures being used in Taiwan endanger this democratization, and endanger the goodwill that Taiwan has developed internationally.

In conclusion: we do remain deeply disturbed by the erosion of justice in Taiwan, and express the sincere hope and expectation that your government will maintain fair and impartial judicial practices and quickly correct the present injustices. As an editorial in the November 20th issue of the London-based Economist indicated, Taiwan is hungry for justice, and we also hope that your government will be willing to initiate judicial reform which would move Taiwan towards a fully fair and impartial judicial system which earns the respect and admiration from other democratic countries around the world.

Respectfully yours,

Signatories of the November 4th Joint Statement

1. Nat Bellocchi, former Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan
2. Julian Baum, former Taiwan Bureau Chief, Far Eastern Economic Review
3. Coen Blaauw, Formosan Association for Public Affairs, Washington DC
4. Stéphane Corcuff, Associate Professor of Political Science, China and Taiwan Studies, University of Lyon, France *
5. Gordon G. Chang, author, "The Coming Collapse of China."
6. David Curtis Wright, Associate Professor of History, University of Calgary
7. June Teufel Dreyer, Professor of Political Science, University of Miami, Florida
8. Edward Friedman, Professor of Political Science and East Asian Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison
9. Mark Harrison, Senior Lecturer, Head of Chinese School of Asian Languages and Studies, University of Tasmania, Australia*
10. Bruce Jacobs, Professor of Asian Languages and Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
11. Richard C. Kagan, Professor Emeritus of History, Hamline University, St. Paul Minnesota
12. Jerome F. Keating, Associate Professor, National Taipei University (Ret.). Author, "Island in the Stream, a Quick Case Study of Taiwan's Complex History" and other works on Taiwan
13. Daniel Lynch, Associate Professor, School of International Relations, University of Southern California
14. Victor H. Mair, Professor of Chinese Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania
15. Donald Rodgers, Associate Professor of Political Science, Austin College, Texas
16. Terence Russell, Professor of Chinese Language and Literature, University of Manitoba
17. Scott Simon, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Ottawa
18. Peter Tague, Professor of Law, Georgetown University
19. John J. Tkacik Jr., Senior Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation, Washington DC
20. Vincent Wei-cheng Wang, Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond, Virginia
21. Arthur Waldron, Lauder Professor of International Relations, University of Pennsylvania
22. Gerrit van der Wees, Editor Taiwan Communiqué, Washington DC
23. Stephen Yates, President of DC Asia Advisory and former Deputy Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs
(Original Page)

[Taipei Times] Wild Strawberries plan rally without police permit

“Three weeks have passed [since we began demonstrating]. Our government has not shown any remorse but endorsed the use of excessive force by police,” Wild Strawberries spokesman Lo Shih-hsiang (羅士翔) said. “We are going to take this to the streets, to the Executive Yuan, the Legislative Yuan and the Presidential Office. We will step up together and show the government we will never stop defending human rights.”

Highlights of the rally on Ketagalan Boulevard will include a mock funeral procession to mourn the demise of human rights, Hsu said.

Students from Kaohsiung will carry a 2m bamboo puppet of Ma dressed in a military uniform to symbolize his “returning Taiwan to authoritarian rule,” said Yao Liang-yi (姚量議), a student from Kaohsiung.

Hsu said the public was welcome to join the rally, but that the movement would not tolerate violence or interference by any political parties.

“The tone of the movement has been non-violent and peaceful,” Hsu said, adding that students will ask that people remove any political symbols before joining the rally. (Full Text)

[Seeking supports] Human Rights Movement for Taiwan at Dec 7th 2008

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are Wild Strawberries Student Movement from Taiwan. We are a non-partisan group of students from universities all over Taiwan to fight for human rights. Recently Taiwanese government used excessive police force to threaten our people's freedom of speech and assembly, beat protestors and insists that they do not damage any human rights (please check attachments for detail news report). We students organized to protest and also got dismissed by police force violently against our will. Therefore we gather together at Liberty Square in central Taipei at Nov 6th, 2008 to continue an peaceful sit-in. Today is our 24th day, and our government still maintains their attitude and even gave promotion to these violent police administers.

We are writing to you to invite you to support our act for human rights at Dec 7th, 2008. At Dec 10th, 2008, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from United Nation will celebrate its 60th anniversaries. Therefore, at Dec 7th, we will mobilize people in Taiwan to use non-violent demonstration in central Taipei. This morning we've hold press conference and got very positive reactions. So far, we've got spontaneous responses from many local NGOs in Taiwan, Paris and North America. However, we would like to connect via your organization to the world. We will be very appreciated if you, on behalf of your organization, could hold any kind of peaceful action (ex. a parade, a sit-in, arts, music activities..) in your region at Dec. 7th , in order to support Wild-Strawberries Student Movement fight against the state violence and defend human rights in Taiwan . Your contribution to defend the democracy in Taiwan is very precious for us.

Taiwan has been ranked as "100% free country" by Freedom House all the time until 2008. But now we, as students and the younger generation, are highly disturbed by the increasing control of our new government led by President Ma, especially regarding the freedom of speech. Many students in our movement got threatened by secret police officers, national security staff, and even school officials. The popular term in Taiwan for our generation (the cohort born after 1980s) is the "strawberry" generation, which means that we are spoiled to be able to afford stress. However, today we stand out for a better future. Today is our 24rd day peaceful sit-in protest at the Liberty Square in Taipei (also know as the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial).

Recently, the Freedom House, FIDH and Harvard's Professor Jerome Cohen (who was a thesis advisor to President Ma) have joined us in condemning unlawful police violence in Taiwan. We─members of Taiwan's Wild Strawberries Student Movement (http://action1106.blogspot.com)─have continued our peaceful sit-in at Taipei's Liberty Square to petition President Ma and our government and Taiwan's legislature to amend the Assembly and Parade Laws , which unconstitutionally inhibit citizens' freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, and gives the police unchecked powers to restrict such freedom─an inalienable human right─from the citizen.

Enclosed please find two statements, one is our petition and selected news reports in English, the other is updated information after two weeks. Should you have any willingness to support our activities defending human rights in your region, please contact us :

Sincerely yours,
International Action Team
Wild Strawberries' Movement
website (Chinese): http://action1106.blogspot.com/
(English): http://taiwanstudentmovement2008.blogspot.com/
Official Email Address: 1106action@gmail.com

Formosa Betrayed

Formosa Betrayed is a feature film detailing the murder investigation of a Taiwanese-American professor at a Midwestern college in the early 1980s. The detective assigned to the case is a young FBI agent looking forward to an exciting career serving the United States government. However, he must solve the case before he can move on.

In his search for the murderers and their accomplices, the agent learns that there is a student spy network which focuses on the political and social activities of Chinese and Taiwanese-American students on the campus. He discovers that these “student spies” are ubiquitous on college campuses in the United States where there are Chinese and Taiwanese students.(more)

Transitional Justice in Taiwan: An Austrian Perspective

Christian Schafferer

eastasia.at
Vol. 6, No. 1, June 2007
ISSN 1684-629X

Sixty years ago, the Nationalist Chinese Army brutally killed several thousand civilians in Taiwan. After the massacre, the Chinese Nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek and his son Chiang Ching-kuo continued to rule Taiwan until 1988. During the Chiang era, tens of thousands of civilians were persecuted, tortured and killed.(more)

Live broadcast is going to switch to another platform

Dear all,

Due to the cease of Yahoo Live on Dec. 3, the live broadcast of Taipei spot is going to switch to http://zh-tw.justin.tv/action1106

Today (Nov. 30), both the old and the new platforms are available. It is expected to move to the new one on Monday (Dec. 1.)

[Rationale] The Transformation of the Taichung Wild Strawberries

The Wild Strawberries Movement was inaugurated in Taipei on November 6, 2008. This movement’s main appeal is to protest against the abuse of law enforcement and the violations of democracy and human rights. Our appeal has gained recognition and support from the students’ groups, which gradually expanded to other cities all over Taiwan within a week. On November 9, the Wild Strawberries movement officially launched in Taichung.

The Taichung Wild Strawberries has established its unique culture with local characteristics. Compared with the solemn atmosphere in the other locations, we created a space based on the norm of affection, peace and mutual active listening between the groups of the citizens and the sit-in students to induce rational and open-ended public discussions as the module for our poignant movement. Through the medium of literature, music, public forum and etc., we explored the issue of human rights as the start and expanded our analysis and examination to the issues such as environmental protection and farmers’ rights. The practice of Taichung Wild Strawberries proved the possibility that an open, rational and peaceful discussion can still exist in Taiwan.

It has been almost 500 hours on November 9 since the Taichung Wild Strawberries started the sit-in; nevertheless, the government authority had not shown any gesture to face the issue actively nor given any positive responses. Furthermore, the treacherous milieu of politicking also raised questions on the long term strategy of the future development of our movement. We have come to face a new historic crossroad of whether we continue the sit-in to exhaust our energy or we stand up to create new territory.

We with the Taichung Wild Strawberries think that the sit-in action needs to transform so we are able to march to a new stage. We believe that it is more effective to go into the campus and reach out to more people rather than staying in the Citizens Square and talking to the same people to mutually strengthening our belief. We will create a broader dialogue space through networking, assembly and discussions to generate resonant echoes.

With the precious memory of the warmth and peace at the Citizens Square, we have also come to realize the questions and challenges ahead when we resolved to this action of outreach to the campuses and communities. Still, we are not afraid or even withdrawn because we are ready. Only by taking this action can we review, improve, break through and revitalize the movement. We want to emphasize that the switch from the sit-in at the Citizens Square to the outreach action does not mean the end of the Taichung Wild Strawberries movement. We seek for the transformation of campaign to carry on our mission. In the future, we will continue our campaign and activities on various campuses and staging soap-box interactive campaign to continue our dialogue and exchanges with the citizens in Taichung at the Citizens Square from time to time.

──「Wild Strawberries Movement 2008」All sit-in students in Taichung, November 28th 2008

Wild Strawberry ROCK on December 7th

10:30~22:00 Student bands and many local bands

Come to join in us and rock the whole day.
Rock for the democracy and freedom!

At Liberty Square/ Freedom Plaza. See you then!

Not forbid? Disagree? As the top academic university, NTU should reveal the attidtue towards student movement

Today (Nov. 28th) Wild Strawberries in Taipei has gathered on campus of National Taiwan University (NTU) and has successfully raised awareness and attentions to its agenda as Wild Strawberries held demonstration around the university campus. Prof , who is on hunger strike for the amendment to the referendum law, also joined students parade, delivered a succinct statement encourage the students to persist to fight for Taiwan’s democracy and liberality.
Today’s demonstration has been a success; however obtaining the demonstration clearance from the university was far less a smooth ride, as the student who was responsible for the application revealed, the university authorities had been highly alerted by the application and numerous phone calls were made, inquiring the number of demonstrators and attempts were made to interfered with the preparation for the demonstration. The abnormal and excessive inquires were stressful and the students of the Wild Strawberries movement felt pressured by the university. The university officials initially attempted to demoralize the students by spreading unofficial words around the campus, alleging the number of attending NTU students to the demonstration to be less than a handful. Combating the rumors, numerous NTU students on Friday gathered around the symbolic site, the Fu Bell that represents enlightenment at the university and proclaims “we are here today to send a strong message to the Academic Affairs Officer, that the numbers of NTU students that are supportive of the Wild Strawberries Movements are far more than what the University has anticipated.”The university authority was initially reluctant to approve the demonstration, stating “even though we would not comment on the demonstration, it does not mean we approve it” the final approval came the day before the demonstration.
NTU in the past has been the lead advocate on social movements, but the university officials’ bureaucratic mindsets seems to contradict with the university cultural where the fundamental social values such as human rights, democracy and promotion of the wellbeing of civil society are being treasured and hold in the highest regard. Students are disappointed with NTU's leadership in the cause of preserving basic human rights. The conservative, ambivalent attitudes displayed by NTU officials exposed the hypocrisy within the organization, for example, the recent denouncement by the NTU President over the alleged graft trial of the former President Chen Shui Bien, while completely overlooked the unacceptable behavior and the arrogance of President Ma and Premier Liou. This, lead us to question: why the double standards?

The students also questioned, whether the university authority has felt political pressures from above, as the KMT legislator Tsai, Zheng-yuan (蔡正元) once publicly urged the University to crack down those participated in The Movement, the university has displayed an abnormal interest on the Wild Strawberries movement as compared to other campus events. The Wild Strawberries, hereby, challenge legislator Tsai to come and face the students to engage in scholarly debates over the alleged allegations, rather than hiding in the Legislative Yuan where the proclamations made are neither verified nor true. The students also openly urging the university to step out with the students, and to resist political pressure it has been subjected to in the last few days.

Honour Chiang Kai – shek, the worlds number 4

In the list of the biggest mass murders in human history:

1.) Joseph Stalin, Communist, Soviet Union, 1929-1953, 42,672,000
2.) Mao Tse-tung, Communist, China, 1923-1976, 37,828,000
3.) Adolf Hitler, Fascist, Germany, 1933-1945, 20,946,000
4.) Chiang Kai-shek, Militarist/Fascist, China, 1921-1948, 10,214,000

The few thousand or ten thousand he killed in Taiwan could not really help him to get a better rank. Hitler was just one number to big for him. But at least Chiang –Kai – shek could die peacefully and wealthy, knowing his son would do a good job.

He receives congratulations in every local Memorial Hall (but he dislikes Democracy Memorial Halls).

[Taipei Times] Yahoo-Kimo panned for blog closure

A former Yahoo blog user nicknamed “Black Jack” has accused Internet portal Yahoo-Kimo of violating his freedom of speech after his personal blog was shut down by the company on Nov. 21. Black Jack, a 36-year-old man working in education, created a blog titled “Mango Daily” using the service provided by Yahoo-Kimo about two years ago.

Modeled on the format of the Chinese-language newspaper the Apple Daily, Black Jack’s Mango Daily published articles that promoted pro-Taiwan ideas and often made fun of pan-blue politicians. It soon gained popularity, with 2,000 to 3,000 visitors a day on average, Black Jack said. (more)

KMT rights rollback cannot be whitewashed

A flood of international criticism by global human rights organizations, democratic governments and prominent legal scholars and academics in the China and Taiwan fields has evidently touched a sore nerve in the restored rightist Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) government of President Ma Ying-jeou. (more)

Chinese Democracy

Forbidden in China. Forbidden in Taiwan soon?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtVE2bO7Zxk

[Taipei Times] Legislature holds public Assembly & Parade law hearing

While those attending a public hearing yesterday on the Assembly and Parade Law (集會遊行法) agreed that reforms were necessary, government officials, legal activists, academics and lawmakers still held different views on whether clauses on restricted areas, the police’s power to disband demonstrations and the penalties on people who violate the law should be removed.

“It’s necessary to mark some areas as off limits for demonstrations to maintain the security of government offices,” National Chengchi University law professor Su Yung-chin (蘇永欽) told the public hearing held by the Legislative Yuan’s Internal Administration Committee.(more)

"Named must your fear be before banish it you can."--Democracy in Danger: No Military on campus.

“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.”
As Master Yoda said:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/11/28/2003429730 (correct link)

While people finally demonstrate against the parade and assembly law (years to late), they should recognize military instructors in schools and universities as a much bigger danger for democracy.

I visited a number of Schools and universities in my life. None of them needed any military instructors to guarantee safety on campus. I did not even know that safety in a school or University is something to worry about.

Actually in the countries I went to school and University a military instructor would be considered to be a mayor security risk and a danger for freedom and democracy.

Why a military instructor has any qualifications in counselling seems to be a hidden secrete. Usually people would hire a PhD in Psychology for such a difficult job.

So why are this guys needed? What purpose do they full fill and who controls them? Who controls the army in general?

There can only one constitution and one law in a country and its army must be under this system and not beside or above.

The first principle in a modern army in a democratic country must be to safe and honour this democracy.

Drill and discipline is necessary to make an army able to operate, but someone should not understand it as a training just to blindly follow commands (that would be fascism), but as a training to make responsible decisions under pressure, responsible in the light of ethics and constitution.

Military instructors are the opposite of what is needed. They make the society a part of the army.
In a democracy the army must be part of the society. So civil instructors would be needed in the army to teach soldiers and especially young officers the fundaments of a democratic society and the ethics they need to make decisions in a responsible way. These instructors should be independent of political influence, for example a priest or a monk or a professor of law or history or politics, …

To abolish military instructors immediately is a conditio sine qua non for a country that is even thinking about to use the word democracy to describe its political system.

As there are rumours that military instructors work as spies for the government to collect information’s about students active in the protests, it might be the time for a counter strike and photograph and identify the military instructors, as they are one of the main enemies of democracy.

They must be named to be banished.

[China Post] The Wild Strawberries have already reached thousands

‘We, the people.’ These are the first words of the constitution of the United States of America. We the people in the 21st century have given us a democratic communication structure called the Web 2.0.

The Web is representing the opinions of millions of bloggers and is used by hundreds of millions of visitors. The Web is forming a community stronger than every national government. The Web is writing the history of the future.(more)

[Taipei Times] Put an end to meddling in freedom of assembly

It has Become traditional for the annual year-end conference of the signatories to the UN Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol to be accompanied by parades, concerts and other activities worldwide to raise public awareness.

This year, the activities in Taiwan are scheduled for Dec. 6 and organizers include the Green Party Taiwan and the Taiwan Environmental Action Network (台灣環境行動網), among many others.

Unfortunately, when we applied for a permit to demonstrate, the Taipei City Government complicated the matter, while police intervened in an event promoting the activities. (more)

[Taipei Times] EDITORIAL: A slippery slope for all involved

It may not have been overly dramatic of the Wild Strawberries Student Movement to stage a mock memorial service for human rights this week at the clumsily named National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall. Pan-green politicians are being held for days on end without charge; serious allegations of excessive use of force have been leveled at police; and the true purpose of the Assembly and Parade Law (集會遊行法) came into sharp focus this month. (more)

European parliamentarian says handcuffing Chen was unnecessary

Former President Chen Shui-bian should not have been put in handcuffs when he was being taken to the court two weeks ago for a detention hearing, a visiting leader of the European parliament said in Taipei Tuesday.

Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament, told members of the Taiwan press that although the principle of rule of law should be revered, "there should also be a rule of civility." (more)

Control Yuan Accepts the Petition on Abuse of Power by Police and National Security Agencies

November 24, 2008

After starting a petition to protest against government violence and support the sit-in students, the Taiwanese academia, along with groups such as the Judicial Reform Foundation and the Wild Strawberries Movement, delivered a petition and complaint to the Control Yuan regarding the illegal acts and abuse of power by the police and national security agencies during Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan.

The petition calls for the Control Yuan to investigate and take legal action against the (1) National Security Council and its Secretary-General Su Chi; (2) National Security Bureau and its Director Tsai Chao-ming; as well as (3) National Police Agency and its Director-General Wang Cho-chiun. The petition enumerates examples of illegal state power abuse during Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan, including road blocks at airports, in the streets, and along the sidewalks exceeding necessary and appropriate parameters; forced entry of Sunrise Records without probable cause or a warrant; false arrest and injury of a documentary maker in the vicinity of the Grand Hotel.

The petition also provides the Control Yuan supporting evidence in the form of video clips, photographs, medical reports, recordings, and police reports. NGOs will also conduct an independent investigation to shed light on recent events.

Former Grand Justice Su Chun-hsiung, Academia Sinica Research Fellow Chu Hei-yuan, and Chang Chin-hua of National Taiwan University’s School of Journalism pointed out that the Control Yuan has the responsibility and obligation to follow protocols, conduct a fair and transparent investigation, and censure individuals who abused authority and power.
Control Yuan members Huang Huang-hsiung and Liu Hsing-shan jointly accepted the petition. Mr. Huang will be responsible for the case and has promised to conclude the investigation and deliver results within three months.

The Wild Strawberries Movement agrees with and supports efforts by the academia and organizations such as the Judicial Reform Foundation to seek solutions to state power abuse through formal and established means. However, we will also continue grassroots efforts to urge related agencies to conduct similar investigations.

* many thanks to A-Kai for the press conference transcript

[Taipei Times] Strawberries stage‘memorial service’for human rights

INVITATIONS: Student protesters sent notices of the death of the nation’s human rights to President Ma Ying-jeou and other politicians across party lines
By Flora Wang STAFF REPORTER Monday, Nov 24, 2008, Page 3

Original Page
Members of the Wild Strawberries Student Movement lie on the ground yesterday at the Liberty Square in front of National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall in Taipei to depict the wounded and dead as part of their mock memorial service for human rights.

Wearing white head coverings and face masks, a few dozen protesters gathered at Liberty Square, carrying placards that read “Freedom of speech” and “Free from violence” and offering their “condolences” to rights they said have been trampled by the government.

The memorial service “symbolizes our sadness toward [the government’s] violations of human rights during [Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman] Chen Yunlin’s [陳雲林] stay in Taiwan,” said Lo Shih-hsiang (羅士翔), a spokesman for the movement.

The students began their silent sit-in on Nov. 6 to protest what they called excessive police force against demonstrators who opposed Chen’s visit between Nov. 3 and Nov 7.

After police removed the students from outside the Executive Yuan, they moved their demonstration to the square on Nov. 7.

The group has continued its demonstrations at the square every day, calling for immediate amendments to the Assembly and Parade Law (集會遊行法) to scrap regulations requiring police approval for demonstrations.

The students had sent out “notices of death” of the nation’s human rights to politicians across party lines, including President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄), Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), and to National Police Agency Director-General Wang Cho-chiun (王卓鈞) and National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Chao-ming (蔡朝明). Only Tsai attended the mock funeral.

When approached by reporters, Tsai said she wanted to encourage the students, but that she did not want their demonstration to be labeled as an activity organized by the pan-green camp.

Speaking on the assembly law, Tsai said the former DPP administration “failed to pay enough attention or push for amending or abolishing the Assembly and Parade Law. We feel very sorry.”

The students also expressed opposition yesterday to a requirement by the Ministry of Justice that schools nationwide recruit personnel to implement government ethics policies.

The ministry sent formal notices to all government branches asking schools, government agencies and state-run enterprises to recruit the personnel.

The move drew widespread criticism across party lines, with many legislators calling the measure reminiscent of the Martial Law era, when all schools had human resource units in charge of spying on public servants and reporting back to the ministry.

The DPP caucus said the ministry’s requirement may violate the 1992 Act Governing the Establishment of the Government Employee Ethics Units and Officers (政風機構人員設置條例), which says the legislature, local councils, military agencies and public schools do not need to establish such units.

"The students of the Wild Strawberry Student Movement are worried that schools ... will be threatened by the White Terror again,”the students said in a press release.

On protest and human rights in Los Angeles

On Protest and Human Rights from abe on Vimeo.

A parade held on 21st November for human rights.

A brief transcription on Mr. Jiang's talk (a Taiwanese lawyer in the States):
On Nov. 20th, the mayor of L.A. apologized publicly for the police violation when Mexican protested against the new Immigration Law last year. The amount of compensatory that police officers beat people, including the journalist and people, during the protest is approx. 13,000,000USD. How about us?

Read more on
L.A. to pay nearly $13 million over May Day melee, sources say
The settlement would mark one of the largest payouts ever made to resolve LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) misconduct. Department has sanctioned officers and trained force to prevent another such incident.
By Joel Rubin
November 20, 2008

[Movement Statement in French] Contre les violences policières ! Défendons la Liberté et les Droits de l’Homme !

Depuis la visite du 3 Novembre du représentant chinois de l’Association pour les relations entre les deux rives du Détroit de Taïwan (ARATS) afin de signer divers contrats avec le gouvernement taïwanais, les agents de police ont commis de nombreux actes abusifs envers des opposants pacifiques de différents groupes, sous le prétexte du « maintien de l’ordre ». Ces actes comprennent fouilles et interdictions arbitraires, confiscations et destructions de biens, attaques physiques, dispersion de rassemblements et même arrestations et détentions. La grande majorité des victimes de cette brutalité policière n’étaient même pas dans les environs du président de l’ARATS, Mr Chen Yu Lin, et s’étaient simplement trouvés être, passer ou photographier divers endroits quand ils ont été pris à parti.
D’après la couverture médiatique, nous nous sommes rendu compte de la gravité de la situation. Il ne s’agit plus d’une question technique de l’application de la loi, ou encore d’un différend entre les partisans de divers partis politiques. Ceci est la généralisation de la violence étatique, qui provoque et attaque la société civile. Tous ces actes d’oppression, qui ignorent les Droits de l’Homme et les valeurs démocratiques, rappellent l’époque de la loi martiale. A tel point que même des députés de la majorité ont exprimé leur inquiétude à ce sujet au Yuan exécutif (gouvernement), cependant que Mr Liu (premier ministre) a esquivé toutes responsabilités avec des excuses des plus minces. Nous sommes choqués et outrés de cette réponse, tout autant que consternés et humiliés.
Nous devons alors nous demander : est-ce que l’augmentation des échanges entre les rives du Détroit nécessitent que Taiwan doive rabaisser sa conception de la liberté et de la démocratie, jusqu'à atteindre le niveau du pouvoir répressif et autoritaire chinois ?
En quelques jours seulement, la démocratie libérale pour laquelle Taïwan a durement lutté, s’est pratiquement effondrée au travers de la présence policière massive en ville, et de l’atmosphère de peur et de répression qu’elle implique. Derrière ses barricades policières, le gouvernement reste aveuglé par l’illusion de cette « rencontre historique » et se fourvoie en réceptions et autres banquets. Pendant ce temps, les droits des citoyens concernant la liberté d’expression et la liberté de mouvement, pourtant garantis constitutionnellement, sont mis de côté et même oubliés.
Comme la plupart de leurs actions ne sont pas constitutionnelles, il n’est pas surprenant qu’il n’y ait pas eu un seul policier capable de définir clairement face à la caméra quelle loi les habilite à suivre les ordres de leurs supérieurs. Les agents de police sont supposés être chargés de la protection de la population. Mais à cause d’ordres venant de leur hiérarchie, ils se sont transformés en gangsters qui réprimandent et empêche le peuple d’exprimer son opinion. Nous n’avons pas l’intention de blâmer individuellement les policiers qui ne peuvent qu’obéir aux ordres de leurs supérieurs. En revanche, nous demandons solennellement aux hautes autorités du gouvernement d’assumer leur part de responsabilité pour ces abus.
Nous sommes un simple groupe de professeurs, étudiants, animateurs culturels et citoyens qui est concerné par l’état de désordre actuel de Taïwan et son développement futur.
Le 6 Novembre, à 11H, sans aucune aide ou mobilisation d’un quelconque parti politique ou groupe civique, nous nous réunirons devant la porte du Yuan exécutif (gouvernement) vêtus de noir et de masques afin de signifier notre désaccord profond, et nous nous tiendrons la main jusqu’à ce que nos revendications aboutissent. Nos revendications sont les suivantes :
1) Le président Ma Ying-Jeou et le premier ministre Liu Chao-Shiuan doivent s’excuser publiquement auprès de tous les citoyens.
2) Le directeur général de l’Agence Nationale de Police Wang Cho-Chiun et le directeur du Bureau National de la Sécurité doivent démissionner
3) Le Yuan législatif (assemblée) doit revoir rapidement la loi sur les manifestations et rassemblements qui actuellement restreint les droits du peuple.

Taiwan DPP leader apologizes for not amending assembly and parade law

Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen visited a group of student demonstrators at Liberty Square in Taipei Sunday and apologized for the DPP's failure to amend the Assembly and Parade Law during its eight years as the ruling party. (more)

Bill Creata 5 Minute Podcast News, Politics and current events with real life commentary

There is a Podcast on our movement!! Thanks to Bill!!
Wild Strawberries Update

http://billcreata.podomatic.com/

Documentary of Mr. Cheng Nan-jung

Activity at Chia-yi : Documentary of Cheng Nan-jung
When: 2008-11-23 7:30p.m.

Where: Chia-yi 228 Park

You are invited to come to care, to share, to discuss!

More information about Cheng Nan-jung(1947~1989): wiki page, Deng Liberty Foundation(A foundation named after Cheng, for promoting freedom and memorizing Cheng's thought and spirits.)

A video clip with music and photo for your reference:

Introduction to Mr. Cheng Nan-jung and the foundation

In March 1984, he founded Freedom Era Weekly, and declared that "[it was] fighting for 100 percent freedom of speech." Cheng Nan-jung had registered 18 different magazine licenses, as "spare tires" for use when the KMT banned the magazine and suspended publication. He said "I'm not scared of arrest nor of being killed, basically, I'll fight them to the very end."

***

In 1989, Cheng was charged with insurrection for printing a new Constitution for the Republic of Taiwan. An arrest warrant was issued. He refused to appear in court. When the police arrived to arrest him on April 7, he committed suicide by self-immolation. He set fire to the building and died in the blaze. His immolation protest against the Kuomintang was covered by Formosa TV.

Military personnel on campus in Taiwan

In Taiwanese universities and high schools, there is a group of personnel you would never find in democratic countries: military training instructors. In the old days, they were responsible for talking students into joining the KMT, policing students’ appearance (length/colour of hair, nails or skirts/trousers; whether one had their shirt tucked in and shoes shined) along with students’ thoughts on the government, reporting those who were not loyal to the party and the leader’ and giving basic military training to students on the side. (more)

Taiwan's police admit hitting Chou at protest

Police admitted beating an opposition member of the Taipei City Council during an anti-Chinese protest, while students invited President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday to attend a mock human rights funeral.(more)

[FIDH] [Press Release] Open letter to President Ma, Premier Liu, and R.O.C.--Taiwan

Deep concern regarding the detention and attacks against citizens protesting peacefully during the visit of Chinese envoy Mr. CHEN Yunlin
20/11/2008
Taiwan
Open letter to

* President Ma Ying-jeou
* Premier Liu Chao-hsuan
* Republic of China – Taiwan

Your Excellencies,

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is writing to you to express its deep concern regarding the detention and attacks against citizens protesting peacefully during the visit of Chinese envoy Mr. CHEN Yunlin. FIDH believes that such arrests and violence are grave violations of human rights, under the pretext of national security.

According to the information received, since November 3rd, 2008, the city of Taipei has been heavily occupied by more than 7,000 police officers. The authorities have taken many drastic measures, including: confiscating and damaging private property, harassing and assaulting people who came too close to undefined or vaguely defined areas, clearing communal highway lanes with force, conducting random searches and arrests, and restricting the freedom of movement of citizens. These actions have been taken during Mr. CHEN’s visit, in the name of protecting security.

However, we fear these aggressions in fact aim at suppressing the right to freedom of expression of citizens. To supplement this violence, there are also unprecedented restrictions which clearly overpass the limits of ensuring security. For example, citizens have been restricted from displaying or carrying the national flag of Taiwan, forbidden to declare that “Taiwan is not part of China”, forbidden from carrying filming devices, and restricted from playing any music the authorities consider inappropriate.

These measures seem to be aimed at silencing political opinions rather than protecting security, and thus they blatantly violate the Constitution of Taiwan, notably Articles 11 and 14 which protect freedom of expression and international human rights standards. Consequently, FIDH requests that the National Police Agency and National Security Bureau, bound by the Constitution and the national legislation, should be held responsible for violating their legal obligations. The Judicial Yuan and Control Yuan should immediately conduct independent and impartial investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and hold all personnel in office accountable for neglecting their civil and legal obligations, in line with the Judicial Yuan’s recent statement that “it is very important to form an objective and solid review standard, and make the constitutional reviews more predictable and trust-worthy to people”. Those who perpetrated these violations, particularly in the National Police Agency and National Security Bureau, must be held accountable, in accordance with Article 24 of the Constitution of Taiwan, which stipulates that “Any public employee who, in violation of law, infringes upon the freedom or right of any person shall, in addition to being subject to disciplinary punishment in accordance with law, be liable to criminal and civil action. The victim may, in accordance with law, claim damages from the State for any injury sustained therefrom.”

More generally, FIDH calls upon the government to amend the Parade and Assembly Law, in particular : to abolish the requirement for mandatory permits and adopt the system of voluntary basis and the clause on special area of restriction, which gives too much discretion to the authority to restrict people’s freedom of association and freedom of expression. In addition the authorities should abolish the order to dismiss as well as the provisions on special criminal punishment, which is a legacy of the martial law era. Finally, Taiwan should establish the protocol for law enforcement personnel who should have the obligation to clearly announce his or her identity when on duty, to ensure legitimacy and accountability.

Your Excellencies,

Our Organization firmly believes that the fruit of Taiwan’s remarkable democratization has landmark significance to the Asian continent as a whole. We therefore express our serious concern over the alarming human rights degradation in Taiwan, and we do take it as a signal of a negative trend undermining the values of democracy and human rights on which Taiwan should be based. Hoping that you will take into consideration the above mentioned concerns, I remain,

Yours sincerely,

Souhayr Belhassen

* FIDH President
Original page: http://www.fidh.org/spip.php?article6006

The State of Mind

in Taiwan in 21st century is similar to the state of mind in Europe before the French Revolution. The Taipei times has published a cartoon fitting to this situation, referring to the Ancien Régime, the old order (before the revolution):
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/photo/2008/11/19/2008032379

The old order in China was the imperial system and the philosophy of Confucius representing the state of mind of an ancient feudal state.
After the revolution Sun Yat-sen, tried to install a new order, based on the three principles of the people. Heavily influenced by his experience in Europe and North America, he wanted to install a multinational, socialistic, power separated constitutional democracy. To fit this system into a Chinese environment he chooses to adopt parts of the imperial system and of the philosophy of Confucius.

When Chiang Kai-shek, installed his dictatorship, officially the three principles were still the ideology of the Republic, but in fact only the imperial system and a rest of Confucius survived this process. He and his party became the new Emperors.

From Sun Yat-sen’s new order, the Republic of China has developed to a country were political philosophy is reduced to some: be quite, don’t think, follow your political leaders, teachers, parents, …. And of course work harder statements.

Has someone counted how many times, the KMT, leading Government officials or conservative journalists have used the term: work harder? Has someone compared it with the number of use of words like democracy or human rights?

I want to finish with linking some articles about Taiwan’s state of mind and the Strawberry movement in the Taipei Times (which is because of its cooperation with the British Guardian the most European of Taiwan’s Newspapers):


EDITORIAL: Ma should amend the assembly law

The dire straits of Taiwanese democracy

Student movements go high-tech

Nov. 20 Wild Strawberries Respond to National Police Agency’s Evaluation of “Harmony Police Drill”

With regard to the November 18th evaluation of the “Harmony Police Drill” (協和演習), the National Police Agency based their conclusions solely on police reports and issued reprimands to only junior officers on duty for the harassment and excessive tactics during ARATS Chairman Chen Yun Lin’s visit. Commanding officers have yet to admit any mistakes with the overall security policy execution. The Wild Strawberries expressed regret towards such evaluation results and sympathy for the reprimanded junior officers.

For instance, the NPA investigation did not take into account the perspective of Sunrise Records. Owners stated that they did not voluntarily close the store and the store was in fact, forcibly shut down by the police. To add insult to injury, the responsible police department chief placed the blame on the owners instead of apologizing for closing a privately owned business. It is apparent that this investigation has not been conducted in a thorough or candid manner, and the NPA remains unapologetic towards the heavy-handed tactics which lacked legal basis; such an attitude has unfortunately compromised Taiwanese citizens’ confidence in law enforcement.

Moreover, the government has avoided providing any legal grounds for the recent controversial and heightened “public security maintenance measures” (e.g. balloon-flying in Chientan, forced entry of occupied hotel rooms at the Grand Hotel, destruction of national flags carried by private citizens, security checks of civilians and reporters near the Grand Hotel, blockage of the Chung-shan Bridge, confiscation of national flags outside of Taiwan Cement building, the Grand Formosa Regent Taipei Hotel incident, the forcible shutdown of Sunrise Records, and the police-civilian clashes near the Grand Hotel). Thus far, there has been insufficient explanation regarding whether law enforcement officers followed administrative procedures and no direct response to whether law enforcement tactics were indeed excessive.

Most importantly, the objective of the review was focused on whether the Chinese delegation was properly attended to (rather than whether citizens were fairly treated) and how to award/reprimand officers accordingly. As public servants, their blatant disregard for the welfare of citizens is simply unacceptable, especially in a democratic society. As such, we strongly urge the police and national security agencies to discuss the legality of their actions during Chen’s visit and re-examine apparent excessive law enforcement tactics. Perhaps a closer reexamination will allow the officials to finally understand the reasons behind the anger of Taiwanese citizens.

The Wild Strawberries re-emphasize that cases of power abuse during the heightened security period were not dispersed, isolated incidents. The prevalence of excessive tactics we have observed clearly suggests that high-level commanding officers were inept in formulating appropriate security measures and entirely disregarded fundamental human rights. Without a coherent strategy, junior law enforcement officers were unable to effectively and reasonably maintain public security, resulting in unfortunate (and oftentimes reluctant on the part of the junior officers) clashes with civilians. Once again, we call on the police and national security officials to reexamine the legality of their recent actions instead of punishing junior officers. The ability to admit to and accept responsibility for one’s mistakes is not only an act of bravery, but appropriate for a political appointee in a democratic society.
Translated from http://action1106.blogspot.com/2008/11/blog-post_3483.html

Protest against police violence! Fight for Freedom and Human Rights! Talk by LEE Ming-Tsung

Watch 抗議警察暴力！捍衛自由人權！發起人李明璁老師談話 in News Online  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

[title]
Mistrust and Violence in Taiwanese Society: Three Stories

[subtitle]
Ming-Tsung Lee's speech in 1107, Freedom Square.
Lee is an associate professor in Dept. of Sociology, NTU

[text]
Freedom Square (2008/11/07): Ming-Tsung Lee, the initiator of the sit-in action in the Freedom Square for protesting the violence of the Police in 6th of November, talked about his experience in three little stories happened around the very first hours of the activity.

1
As the coordinator of the action, Ming-Tsung Lee got various threatening calls and sms, whether anonymous or not, from the very first moment the action initiated. “You’re nothing but an assist professor,” said one of the callers, "and I'm the professor. Do you still want to get promoted?” Ming-Tsung Lee is now an assistance professor in the Department of Sociology, NTU.

2
The police exerted violent to the sit-in students by their verbal humiliation. When the sit-in-students carried away by the policemen to where no media shoot, the policemen told the students “Stop acting. No one is shooting you. Just walk away by yourself."
These verbal humiliations made the student feel hurt, because it was the mistrustful response from the police to the good will which the student had showed in the past 20 hours. The students gave the policemen drinks, chat with them, and even gave them the lily flowers sent by the supporting people.
Ming-Tsung Lee would also like to protest for the distort reported by TVBS news. What the student showed to the police is good will, not the support as TVBS said.

3
Ming-Tsung Lee was applied physical violent by the policemen while being carried away from the square of Administration Yuan. He was pinched, kicked (to his private), and hit. In this video, he restated the three appeals, that are, President Ma and Premier Liu APOLOGIZE, Wang and Tsai STEP DOWN, and AMEND The Parade and Assembly Law.

These stories expressed the foundation of the reciprocal trust is destroyed in the Taiwanese society, and Ming-Tsung Lee thinks it is the government who should be responsible for.

Nov 20, Taipei, Wild Strawberries Movement Situation Report

Wild Strawberries Movement Update
Protest update
Protest in Liberty Square, Taipei:
• Apart from large rally, number of sit-in protest students remains consistent throughout the week, few in the dawn, significant more protesters joint after noon, peaked around 30-40 in late afternoon, based on these figures, The Movement has estimated that about 70 sit-in protesters are involved in weekday. The Movement attributed the declining number of sit-in protesters to cold weather and approaching mid-term exam for university students.
• The Movement has started organizing contact information of those involves in the protest, networking various civil societies, non -government organizations (NGO) and different sectors of society, with long-term objective of broadening Wild Strawberries’ appeal to the society at large.
• The issue of poor communication between sit-in student protesters and the Movement Headquarter has been resolved through the liaison conference held on 8th November, which clarified the chain of commands and updating the feed-back mechanism.
• Certain quarters of Society have expressed their interest in join the protest. The Movement decides that the protest will remain student only for the time being.
Protest in other cities
Hsinchu protest:
• Rotating-shift works quite well.
Taichung protest:
• Not enough student-protesters participating.
Chiayi protest:
• Not enough student-protesters, daily protester number remain single digit.
Tainan protest:
• Protesters high in spirit, confident that they can last all the way into mid-December
Kaohsiung protest:
• Threatened by the police for expressing anti-Ma (President) sentiments. Outlook for Kasohsiung protest remain pessimistic
Eastern Taiwan Protest:
• Under preparation
All regional protests are operational, though some difficulties have surfaced in the week, naming insufficient protesters and police interventions. No central command exists currently in Wild Strawberries Movement, all regional protest are organized in free association with Taipei protest, local protest can be organize and dissolve without the consent of Taipei protest organizer, it is imperative that, if the local leadership do wish to discontinue their protests, they shall consider possible affect on the morality of entire Wild Strawberries Movement. The Movement organizer here in Taipei hereby, urging those intent to discontinue protest, do consult with other regional and Taipei protest organizers first, so that ripple-effect can be avoid, morality be maintain, and best cause of action can be devise for the sake of movement.
External Supports
Academia:
• Academics are extremely enthusiastic about the causes of Wild Strawberries Movement; Seminars have been organized for protest students by university academic staff on diverse topics. The academics also held public lectures to educate the general public.
Non-Government Organization (NGO):
• Enthusiastic supporters from the beginning, providing both logistic and morale support to The Movement. Future co-operation on certain topics with The Movement have been identified. The Movement are grateful for NGOs’ support in resources, Public Relations expertise and expert advices by Professional NGOs.
Arts and Culture Community:
• Late comer, but no less then others in enthusiasm, organized and provided entertaining yet informative event last weekend. National Taipei Art University has announced its support for The Movement.
General Public:
• Provides both moral and logistic support, through some skirmish occurred in Taipei Protest between public supporting students and pro-government extremists. The decision on general public’s participation in actual sit-in protest is still under discussion.
Analysis
Executive branch of Government:
• The cabinet (The Executive Yuan) refused to admit the excess uses of violence against protesters during the week of Chinese Envoy’s visit; the cabinet praises the police action as “appropriate” and “Lawful”. The Ma administration shows no intention to neither negotiate nor respond to The Movement’s Twelve Demands. Furthermore, the ruling KMT party has pleaded its support to Ma’s stance; it is fear that with KMT’s majority in the assembly, amending the Law of Assemble and Parade would be extremely difficult.
• The Ma administration has refused to dismiss the two high officials whom the protesters have named and blamed for the violence, instead, as said by Ma, no apology would be offer, and no dismissal would be made.
• In light of Ma administration’s indifferences to protests’ plights, The Movement must re-consider it’s strategy in forcing the Government into negotiation, it is abundantly clear that the Ma administration will not dismiss culprits for the violence, will not apologize for the atrocities committed, and certainly no genuine will to amend the much derided Law of Assemble and Parade. Without extracting single concession from Government, The Movement is at risk of losing popular support and momentum.
Legislative branch of Government:
• Both DPP and KMT caucus have proposed their amendment of Law of Assemble and Parade, although the KMT version is far less satisfactory then those demanded by The Movement. Further, the KMT has mobilized its majority in the assembly to delay the public hearing date for the proposed amendments, hoping that the delay would wether public’s support and The Movement’s resolve.
Media:
• Media attentions have largely shift to the trial of former president Chen, Shui-Bien. The media also attempt to portray the Movement as pro-DPP fringe group, hence, politicising actions of Wild Strawberries. It is also noted, that rather then focuses on the plights of the Movement, the media prefer to report on the minor incidents, such as skirmish between supporting public and pro-government extremists, while ignoring original three demands put forwards by the students.
The Movement must refocus and re-energize in face of un-friendly media, government that want to neither negotiate nor respond, legislature that delayed amendment hearing through procedural means. New methods in forcing the Government into the negotiation table must be devise, Different demands for changes in the Law of Assemble and Parade from myriad NGOs must be consolidated in single, cohesive policy that can garners supports from the populace, safeguards basic human rights, reconcile the freedom of expression and needs in maintaining social cohesion.
Final Thoughts
New directives regarding the future action and organization of The Movement will be discuss in the coming days, The Movement will also propose its own version of amendment to the Law of Assemble and Parade in near future after consultations with students, NGOs, and Professional groups. Comments and thoughts about The Movement’s version of amendment are welcome, Suggestions in how to mobilize popular supports for this particular amendment is much appreciated.
Last and not least, in the spirit of democracy, Regional Protest Organizers are welcome in participating the decision making process of The Movement, any thoughts, comments, suggestions, are always appreciate here in Taipei.

Lament for Civil Rights

When the president of our country sells out the people’s basic civil rights, hurts the citizens’ fundamental human dignity, and disregards our voices, what’s left is the empty shell devoid of soul.

Tonight, artist Lily Wei, along with students of Wild Strawberries Movement warmed up for the participatory art event by lying on the ground and tracing the body contours of one another.  There are now many human shapes in various positions drawn in chalk on Liberty Square.  Lily Wei expresses: ‘Anyone who cares about human rights and liberty in Taiwan are welcome to join in the art in action’.  You are invited to experience the pulse and heartbeats of one another together tomorrow afternoon, and to listen to the thundering outcries of the empty human figures.  

Where: Liberty Square (the former Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall).

When: Sunday November 23, 2008. 1:45 pm

What: Art in Action

Who: You and all those who care about the liberty of Taiwan.

 

Come, lie down with us on the ground to be part of the casualty of stolen autonomy.

 

Local citizens and international friends are welcome!

Participants please bring your masks, hats, and sunglasses. And a camera if you like!

Please wear black, grey or white if possible as symbol of mourning.

 

The Art Mobilize Taiwan Initiative

This day in History: Nuremberg Trials began

The Nuremberg Trials are a series of trials most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military and economic leadership of Nazi Germany. The trials were held in the city of Nuremberg, Germany, from 1945 to 1949, at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice. The first and best known of these trials was the Trial of the Major War Criminals Before the International Military Tribunal (IMT), which tried 24 of the most important captured leaders of Nazi Germany. It was held from November 20, 1945 to October 1, 1946. The second set of trials of lesser war criminals was conducted under Control Council Law No. 10 at the U.S. Nuremberg Military Tribunals (NMT), among them included the Doctors' Trial and the Judges' Trial. This article primarily deals with the IMT; see the separate article on the NMT for details on those trials.

Full Text and picture, please click The Free Dictionary
http://encyclopedia.tfd.com/Nuremberg+Trials

We shall not forget!

Call for Taiwan Police to Stop Pressuring Media for Protest Information

2008 Nov 19
Press Release from International Federation of Journalist

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges Taiwan's National Police Agency (NPA) to stop asking media personnel for information about protesters at a recent public demonstration.

According to the Association of Taiwan Journalists (ATJ), an IFJ affiliate, members of the Taiwan police have reportedly asked media workers to provide photographs of demonstrators who participated in the "Yellow Ribbon Siege" protest against a meeting between Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou and chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) Chen Yunlin on November 16. The protest was reportedly organised by the Democratic Progressive Political Party.

The ATJ said there were concerns that police would seek to pressure photojournalists who refused the request for information by approaching their employers.

"The police have put the reporters in grave danger by demanding that they rat on their interviewees," ATJ president Leon Chuang said.

On November 18, Leon Chuang and several reporters requested a meeting with NPA Director-General Wang Cho-chun to resolve the issue, but the request was declined.

"The duty of a journalist is to report the truth and to protect his or her sources. Journalists must not be compelled to act as agents to collect information on behalf of government authorities. Police interference of this kind places freedom of the independent press in jeopardy," IFJ Asia-Pacific said.

"The IFJ urges Taiwan's authorities to respect press freedom and ensure that they do not compromise journalists' integrity. All media outlets are also urged to defend press freedom and refrain from handing over photographs."

Increasing police pressure on Taiwan's media has been reported since early November. An independent documentary film-maker was detained by police while she was filming Chen in a hotel on November 4.. In a separate incident, a television reporter was assaulted by police who reportedly mistook him for a protester during the November 16 rally.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide

[Free--Partly Free--Not Free] Which status Taiwan will be in?

Status: Countries / Political rights Score / Civil rights Score
Free: Germany, France, Benelux, U.K., U.S.A., Canada, Scandinavian countries,.../1/1
Free: Japan, South Korea /1/2

^
| ? Is Taiwan going upward?
Free: TAIWAN /2/1
| ? Or downward?
ˇ

Partly Free: Hong Kong (China) /5/2
Partly Free: Singapore /5/4
Not Free: China /7/6
Not Free: North Korea, Tibet /7/7


Data from Map of Freedom, Freedom House, Washington