Since the 6th of November 2008, students and professors across the nation joined an unplanned sit-in demonstration. The catalyst for this unplanned sit-in was the blatant excessive law enforcement tactics during the Chinese envoy visit which clearly threatened the basic rights of Taiwanese citizens. Later that evening, we were saddened by the news that the Democratic Progressive Party’s “Siege” protest activities resulted in violent clashes. Regardless of acts committed by law enforcement or the protesters, we do not believe that violence is the answer. Since the inception of the Wild Strawberries Movement, we have always maintained a peaceful, rational, and non-violent manner. On the 7th of November 2008, law enforcement officers surrounded us and dragged every single student and professor at this peaceful sit-in onto a police transport. Many students observed the reluctance (and at times tearful) displayed by police officers. As we relocated to Liberty Square with the intention to stage a long-term sit-in, we are grateful for these officers for allowing and assisting us to continue this sit-in peacefully. That said, it remains our duty to condemn and reject any illegal acts of violence, whether it be committed by the police or citizens.
Some have questioned us since "Police is only doing their job, why the continuing condemnation?", thus the Wild Strawberries participants would like to take this opportunity to pay tributes and a heart felt thanks to our hardworking front line police. If it weren't for them, it would be quite impossible to have a stable, peaceful life. However with acknowledging the above, we still demonstrated, we insisted to protest in the Liberty Square. Why is that so?
Because we are confused. Confused about during Chen's visit, police have hurt the ones they should be protecting. We're confused by police's action when Chen Yu-Ching(陳育青) was recording the Chinese envoy with his own personal video recorder; He was questioned upon by the police, and even brought back to the police station against his will, his personal freedom was restrained until the arrival of a local representative. We're confused when a record store playing a piece of music would induce the police to ban it from playing, even led to involuntarily closure of the shop. We're confused because when a guest have arrived, people having different expectations and reactions are only natural to a democratic society; however what would force the police to confiscate the national flag or even Tibetan flag and hording members of the public, restricting their speech and freewill? What kind of policies were involved, to disrupt the harmony which existed between police and ordinary citizen by carrying out orders which clearly violated human rights, subsequently the public were left feeling defeated, jaded with a sense of angst. We are confused, what kind of policy, led to such grotesque outcome?
Wild Strawberries are deeply grateful for our police, they've endured unimaginable pressure for up keeping the order of our society. At the same time to continue and strengthen our foundation as a democratic country, we insists the responsibility of violating human rights due to abusive police power under active investigation. During Chen's visit, undeniably government is to protect the guest's safety with a thorough and sound security measure in place, however a benevolent and capable government should not disregard "basic rights" of it's citizens when carrying out policies. Therefore, we will hold the decision makers of the highest level responsible, at the same time acknowledging the amount of hard-work our police endured while carrying out their duty. The Chief of National Police Agency in charge of organising police, while Director General of National Security Bureau manages guests' safety. Together they planned and managed the police, policies in handling situations and limits of law enforcement. Due to the fact that during the period of Chen's visit, there were numerous accounts of violation of human rights, therefore we do not see ways to treat these events as matter of contingency and thus shifting the responsibilities onto the front line police. Our postulation being that the violation occurred due to government's overall inappropriate planning, and was poorly executed. Hence Wild Strawberries insists the head of both National Security Bureau and National Police Agency to take the responsibility of the violations and step down to revive public trust in police.
Wild Strawberries believe that we should pay our tribute to our police forces, for their untiring service to the nation, from everyday upkeep to enforcement of order during special occasions. At the same time, we strongly protest the police's obvious abuse of their power, since no policy formulation should involve violating human rights. The human rights violations which happened during Chen's visit should not be treated as a random accidental event. We would like to point out the violations which happened were due to absurd planning of the overall security measures. In a mature democratic society, any unreasonable violence should be condemned, at the same time government forces who hold the power given by the people would be wise to consider policies discreetly to avoid restraining citizens' basic rights. The Taiwanese democracy did not fell from the sky, thus we insist the heads of National Police Agency and National Security bureau must resign and apologise for their inaptness.
14 Nov 2008
[Wanted] Observation/ News/ Feedback/ Support (in English)
It have been a week since the sit-in movement was launched. And the English blog is built with all your contribution, on spreading, reading, and writing. In every case, we need more articles in English here!!
What we are looking for:
1. I noticed that there are some articles in the individual blog which is written in English regards to this movement. I would like to gather some here.
2. You may want to translate any news from the world media, like German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean... into English.
3. Your observation and feedback on any news, phenomena during this movement.
4. Illustration on Human Rights in the recent World (i.e., cases from other countries) and in the history
To communicate and spread the idea, we need your participation. If you wish to support this blog, please send articles in English to taiwanstudentmovement2008@gmail.com .
The formant:
1. The summary (Brief and Concise)
2. The link to the original article (on blog, news...)
3. Your identity (and in which name you would like to be posted, or anonymous.)
Thanks for your attribution towards the blog, the movement, the development of democracy and the protection of human rights in Taiwan!
What we are looking for:
1. I noticed that there are some articles in the individual blog which is written in English regards to this movement. I would like to gather some here.
2. You may want to translate any news from the world media, like German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean... into English.
3. Your observation and feedback on any news, phenomena during this movement.
4. Illustration on Human Rights in the recent World (i.e., cases from other countries) and in the history
To communicate and spread the idea, we need your participation. If you wish to support this blog, please send articles in English to taiwanstudentmovement2008@gmail.com .
The formant:
1. The summary (Brief and Concise)
2. The link to the original article (on blog, news...)
3. Your identity (and in which name you would like to be posted, or anonymous.)
Thanks for your attribution towards the blog, the movement, the development of democracy and the protection of human rights in Taiwan!
Ma: Two Officials Must Reflect, Not Step Down
By Wang Yu Chung, Peng Hsien Jun, Huang Duen Yien
Published: 11/13/2008 The Liberty Times
President Ma Ying-jeou responded officially for the first time yesterday to the Wild Strawberry Movement's demand that the National Police Agency Director-General Wang Cho-chiun and National Security Bureau Director Tsai Chao-ming step down. Ma said that their actions warrant an evaluation, but "do not warrant dismissals."
As for the students’ demand that President Ma and Premier Liu apologize for excessive law enforcement tactics used during the Chinese envoy’s visit, Ma pointed out that one must look at the larger picture. The agreements signed between the two sides and the atmosphere created laid the foundation for improved cross-straight relations and will be beneficial to Taiwan's international standing.
Ma indicated that police enforcement may have caused some unintentional injuries, citing a TV reporter’s case as an example. Minister of Interior Liao Liou-yi has apologized on several occasions and will assess law enforcement tactics. That said, recent police activities in maintaining public safety should be considered as a success.
The National Police Agency mentioned that accusations made by the Wild Strawberries Movement were turned over to the Taipei City Police Department Bureau for further investigation.
With regard to the student’s appeal to amend the Parade and Assembly Law from its current approval and permission requirement to allowing citizens to simply inform authorities of assembly plans is consistent with his position. He appreciates the students’ assistance in helping him realize his campaign promises.
However, Ma pointed out that recent polls indicated that there are varying opinions on amending the legislation as a result of the violence and bloody scenes from the November 6th rally. Changing the system does not imply that individuals may simply call the police immediately before staging demonstrations. For instance, Germany allows its citizens to inform authorities of demonstration plans ahead of time, but law enforcement reserves the right to reject such plans. Ma emphasized that a permit system may not necessarily be restrictive, while system of informing authorities may not be lax. The key issue is not about whether to inform authorities, but about violent activities.
Kuomintang’s Central Standing Committee also discussed revising the legislation. Party Chairman Wu Po-hsiung specifically called on the Democratic Progressive Party to dissociate itself with corruption and violence.
Furthermore, some KMT Central Standing Committee members proposed a visit to Liu Po-yen, a self-professed old KMT member who committed self-immolation two days ago. The KMT stated that Liu did not register in 2000 and is no longer a party member. He has switched political alignment [from pro-Blue to pro-Green] and has been consuming more DPP-friendly media content, making an official visit from the KMT unnecessary.
Translated from http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2008/new/nov/13/today-p2.htm
[SCMP] Ties that blind--Improved cross-strait relations appear to have come at a cost to some civil liberties in Taiwan
Jerome Cohen (Former Supervisor of President Ma)
Updated on Nov 13, 2008
Last week's historic visit to Taiwan by Beijing's cross-strait chief, Chen Yunlin , which culminated in four useful agreements, focused attention on issues of human rights as well as politics. Some issues concerned the proper government response to public protests in a free society. Others involved fair investigation of former and present government leaders suspected of corruption.
Chinese have recognised the importance of protecting foreign envoys for almost 3,000 years. The feudal states that contended for power before establishment of the Qin dynasty reciprocally assured the personal safety of their emissaries. Such protection has continued to be indispensable to inter-state co-operation.
After police in Tainan failed to prevent an assault on Mr Chen's deputy, president Ma Ying-jeou's government was obligated to do better during Mr Chen's visit. Although police could not prevent Mr Chen from being trapped in a hotel for eight hours by a huge mob of protesters, they did defend him against bodily harm throughout a stressful week.
In doing so, they went beyond the limits of a free society, forbidding peaceful protesters from displaying Taiwanese and Tibetan flags, confiscating flags from demonstrators, closing a store that played Taiwanese songs and seeking to minimise the visitors' awareness of the protests. There were also incidents of police brutality, albeit sometimes in response to violent provocations by demonstrators.
The police misconduct even outraged many local supporters of Mr Chen's visit. Mr Ma, in addition to implementing his campaign pledge to sponsor revision of the Assembly and Parade Law to eliminate protesters' need for advance official permission, should recommend amendments prohibiting the kind of undemocratic police practices that recently occurred and order training designed to enhance police compliance with the law. It is encouraging to note that Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, who led the massive opposition demonstration, has subsequently called not only for a government review of police misconduct but also for a re-examination by her own party of its failures to maintain order among its demonstrators. The DPP, if it is to fulfil its essential role as democratic opposition, must not degenerate into an army of street fighters.
Some Taiwanese and foreign critics took the occasion of Mr Chen's visit to call attention to another crucial feature of democratic government - the fair prosecution of current and former officials suspected of corruption. The critics voiced three serious complaints about recent arrests and incommunicado detentions of prominent DPP figures who have served as government officials. They imply that the DPP is being singled out for prosecutions while corruption among Kuomintang leaders is being ignored. They also claim that: most DPP suspects have been held incommunicado without a court examination of the justification for their detentions; and that prosecutors' offices have been leaking detrimental information about the suspects to the media while denying them knowledge of the leaks and a chance to refute the "trial by press".
These practices, it is said, bring into question the political neutrality of the judiciary, and the presumption of innocence and other elements of due process required for the fair and open trials essential to democracy, raising the spectre of the unjust procedures of "the dark days of martial law" (1947-1987). It is not clear whether critics' claims of "selective prosecution" are well founded. Recent arrests may simply reflect massive corruption by the DPP, which dominated executive government for the past eight years - corruption that allegedly reached as high as former president Chen Shui-bian and his family.
Oddly, although during the Chen administration some prosecutions were brought against both DPP and KMT figures, some obvious KMT targets were overlooked despite reportedly thick dossiers compiled by Control Yuan investigators. Mr Ma should appoint a commission of impartial experts to review such prosecutions.
It does not appear that any of the recently detained DPP figures were denied a court hearing or their right to counsel. Moreover, there is a legislative basis for the courts' decisions to detain them incommunicado for up to four months of investigation if there is a reasonable basis for believing that the suspects might otherwise falsify evidence. Yet, in view of the harshness of this pre-indictment sanction and the obstacles it creates to mounting an adequate defence, it ought to be invoked rarely.
Certainly, the Legislative Yuan, or the commission suggested here, should re-examine legislation to strike a new balance between the threat of corruption to a democratic government and the threat of incommunicado detention to civil liberty.
The charge of biased prosecution leaks to the press seems to be the most straightforward of the critics' complaints. Such leaks, which occur in many countries, do appear to have taken place and cannot be allowed in a democratic system.
Jerome A. Cohen is co-director of NYU's US-Asia Law Institute and adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2c913216495213d5df646910cba0a0a0/?vgnextoid=4f2a6ac45d09d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&ss=China&s=News
Updated on Nov 13, 2008
Last week's historic visit to Taiwan by Beijing's cross-strait chief, Chen Yunlin , which culminated in four useful agreements, focused attention on issues of human rights as well as politics. Some issues concerned the proper government response to public protests in a free society. Others involved fair investigation of former and present government leaders suspected of corruption.
Chinese have recognised the importance of protecting foreign envoys for almost 3,000 years. The feudal states that contended for power before establishment of the Qin dynasty reciprocally assured the personal safety of their emissaries. Such protection has continued to be indispensable to inter-state co-operation.
After police in Tainan failed to prevent an assault on Mr Chen's deputy, president Ma Ying-jeou's government was obligated to do better during Mr Chen's visit. Although police could not prevent Mr Chen from being trapped in a hotel for eight hours by a huge mob of protesters, they did defend him against bodily harm throughout a stressful week.
In doing so, they went beyond the limits of a free society, forbidding peaceful protesters from displaying Taiwanese and Tibetan flags, confiscating flags from demonstrators, closing a store that played Taiwanese songs and seeking to minimise the visitors' awareness of the protests. There were also incidents of police brutality, albeit sometimes in response to violent provocations by demonstrators.
The police misconduct even outraged many local supporters of Mr Chen's visit. Mr Ma, in addition to implementing his campaign pledge to sponsor revision of the Assembly and Parade Law to eliminate protesters' need for advance official permission, should recommend amendments prohibiting the kind of undemocratic police practices that recently occurred and order training designed to enhance police compliance with the law. It is encouraging to note that Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, who led the massive opposition demonstration, has subsequently called not only for a government review of police misconduct but also for a re-examination by her own party of its failures to maintain order among its demonstrators. The DPP, if it is to fulfil its essential role as democratic opposition, must not degenerate into an army of street fighters.
Some Taiwanese and foreign critics took the occasion of Mr Chen's visit to call attention to another crucial feature of democratic government - the fair prosecution of current and former officials suspected of corruption. The critics voiced three serious complaints about recent arrests and incommunicado detentions of prominent DPP figures who have served as government officials. They imply that the DPP is being singled out for prosecutions while corruption among Kuomintang leaders is being ignored. They also claim that: most DPP suspects have been held incommunicado without a court examination of the justification for their detentions; and that prosecutors' offices have been leaking detrimental information about the suspects to the media while denying them knowledge of the leaks and a chance to refute the "trial by press".
These practices, it is said, bring into question the political neutrality of the judiciary, and the presumption of innocence and other elements of due process required for the fair and open trials essential to democracy, raising the spectre of the unjust procedures of "the dark days of martial law" (1947-1987). It is not clear whether critics' claims of "selective prosecution" are well founded. Recent arrests may simply reflect massive corruption by the DPP, which dominated executive government for the past eight years - corruption that allegedly reached as high as former president Chen Shui-bian and his family.
Oddly, although during the Chen administration some prosecutions were brought against both DPP and KMT figures, some obvious KMT targets were overlooked despite reportedly thick dossiers compiled by Control Yuan investigators. Mr Ma should appoint a commission of impartial experts to review such prosecutions.
It does not appear that any of the recently detained DPP figures were denied a court hearing or their right to counsel. Moreover, there is a legislative basis for the courts' decisions to detain them incommunicado for up to four months of investigation if there is a reasonable basis for believing that the suspects might otherwise falsify evidence. Yet, in view of the harshness of this pre-indictment sanction and the obstacles it creates to mounting an adequate defence, it ought to be invoked rarely.
Certainly, the Legislative Yuan, or the commission suggested here, should re-examine legislation to strike a new balance between the threat of corruption to a democratic government and the threat of incommunicado detention to civil liberty.
The charge of biased prosecution leaks to the press seems to be the most straightforward of the critics' complaints. Such leaks, which occur in many countries, do appear to have taken place and cannot be allowed in a democratic system.
Jerome A. Cohen is co-director of NYU's US-Asia Law Institute and adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2c913216495213d5df646910cba0a0a0/?vgnextoid=4f2a6ac45d09d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&ss=China&s=News
13 Nov 2008
US, Dutch officials to take closer look at Taiwan’s judiciary
... the foreign affairs spokesmen of the ruling and opposition parties in the Netherlands on Tuesday expressed concern to Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen during a session of the Dutch parliament about the spate of detentions in Taiwan. ...
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/11/13/2003428552
Attention!
I could not find any proof for the statements in this article. The questions are not included in the list of questions on the Dutch parliaments (Tweede Kammer der Staaten – General) homepage.
So always pay attention and try to check facts on your own.
Update!
People here are a bit slow, but now it is officially published:
2008Z06661 / 2080905020
Vragen van de leden Van Baalen (VVD) en Haverkamp (CDA) aan de minister van Buitenlandse Zaken over de arrestatie van oud-president Chen Shui-bian van Taiwan. (Ingezonden 13 november 2008)
1
Heeft u kennisgenomen van de berichten dat oud-president Chen Shui-bian en een aantal politici van de Democratische Progressieve Partij (DPP) op verdenking van ambtsmisbruik in Taipei zijn gearresteerd? 1)
2
Heeft u kennisgenomen van de open brief van een aantal Taiwanese en internationale rechtsgeleerden en burgerrechtenactivisten in de Taipei Times van 6 november 2008, waarin protest wordt aangetekend tegen politiek gemotiveerde arrestaties?
3
Bent u bereid de Kamer per brief nader te informeren over de kwestie Chen c.s.?
4
Bent u bereid, bij de huidige regering in Taiwan, aan te dringen op het toepassen van de beginselen van de democratische rechtsstaat bij het vervolgen van diegenen die worden verdacht van het plegen van ambtsmisdrijven?
1) Website De Telegraaf, 11 november 2008
Translation
Questions of the members of parliament van Baalen (Liberals) and Haverkamp (Christian Democrats) to the minister of foreign affairs about the detention of former president of Tawian Chen Shui-bian:
1. Are you aware of the detention of former president and a number of politicians of DPP under the suspicion of abuse of power in office?
2. Are you aware of an open letter by a number of Taiwanese and international legal experts and civil right activists published in the Taipei Times of 6. of November 2008 that is protesting against political motivated detentions?
3. Are you prepared to inform the chamber about further developments in the case Chen in written form?
4. Are you prepared to make pressure on the actual Government of Taiwan so that they follow the laws of a democratic constitutional state during their investigations against the persons that are under suspicion of abuse of power in office?
Taiwan is now on the watchlist. It might be that the European Parliament takes action too.
Mr. Ma: Big brother is watching you!
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/11/13/2003428552
Attention!
I could not find any proof for the statements in this article. The questions are not included in the list of questions on the Dutch parliaments (Tweede Kammer der Staaten – General) homepage.
So always pay attention and try to check facts on your own.
Update!
People here are a bit slow, but now it is officially published:
2008Z06661 / 2080905020
Vragen van de leden Van Baalen (VVD) en Haverkamp (CDA) aan de minister van Buitenlandse Zaken over de arrestatie van oud-president Chen Shui-bian van Taiwan. (Ingezonden 13 november 2008)
1
Heeft u kennisgenomen van de berichten dat oud-president Chen Shui-bian en een aantal politici van de Democratische Progressieve Partij (DPP) op verdenking van ambtsmisbruik in Taipei zijn gearresteerd? 1)
2
Heeft u kennisgenomen van de open brief van een aantal Taiwanese en internationale rechtsgeleerden en burgerrechtenactivisten in de Taipei Times van 6 november 2008, waarin protest wordt aangetekend tegen politiek gemotiveerde arrestaties?
3
Bent u bereid de Kamer per brief nader te informeren over de kwestie Chen c.s.?
4
Bent u bereid, bij de huidige regering in Taiwan, aan te dringen op het toepassen van de beginselen van de democratische rechtsstaat bij het vervolgen van diegenen die worden verdacht van het plegen van ambtsmisdrijven?
1) Website De Telegraaf, 11 november 2008
Translation
Questions of the members of parliament van Baalen (Liberals) and Haverkamp (Christian Democrats) to the minister of foreign affairs about the detention of former president of Tawian Chen Shui-bian:
1. Are you aware of the detention of former president and a number of politicians of DPP under the suspicion of abuse of power in office?
2. Are you aware of an open letter by a number of Taiwanese and international legal experts and civil right activists published in the Taipei Times of 6. of November 2008 that is protesting against political motivated detentions?
3. Are you prepared to inform the chamber about further developments in the case Chen in written form?
4. Are you prepared to make pressure on the actual Government of Taiwan so that they follow the laws of a democratic constitutional state during their investigations against the persons that are under suspicion of abuse of power in office?
Taiwan is now on the watchlist. It might be that the European Parliament takes action too.
Mr. Ma: Big brother is watching you!
The Voice of Wild Berries--Theme music for the students with Lyrics in Mandarin and English
野草莓運動ㄧ野莓之聲 from freshfoliage on Vimeo.
Translation for the subtitles in the video: http://vimeo.com/2205674 (slide number)
(1) The Wild Strawberries Movement;
a group of students with different political views
joined together without prior planning
fighting for a common cause…
(2) we hope to serve as a reminding voice
that the current administration should protect
the invaluable yet often fragile peace and human rights
(3) The Voice of the Wild Strawberries
music & lyrics/ nelleven video/freshfoliage
photos/Andytn/sun_line/freshfoliage/wwaahhaa/hankblue/Nienyi Ho/kaizan/mutolisp
(4) on November 5th, we saw reluctant overworked police during the Grand Formosa Regent Hotel and Sunrise Records incidents
(5) but we also witnessed inappropriate and excessive law enforcement tactics…
(6) on November 6th, we sat peacefully outside of the Executive Yuan building
hoping to show bipartisanship
(7) by wearing all black
we simply hoped for peace
(8) we recognize the difficulty in maintaining public safety but also deeply care for the welfare of our fellow citizens
so we hope to challenge the constitutionality of some of our laws
(9) and appeal to the President and related officials to take responsibility
(10) we hope to use our strength
(11) and let our voices be heard
(12) I was not wrapped in cotton wool
(13) so please save the insincere compassion
(14) I could never understand your hypocrisy
(15) and will always remain true to myself
(16) we have dreams and ideals
(17) we have a few things to say
(18) after you have betrayed yourselves
(19) please do not also sell us out
(20) we have dreams and ideals
(21) we have a few things to say
(22) as you broke all your promises
(23) we chose to rise and join this sit-in
(24) silence does not represent acquiescence
(25) nor does peace indicate acceptance
(26) your arrogance has once again burned us
(27) and this time we will no longer remain silent
(28) we have dreams and ideals
(29) we have a few things to say
(30) after you have betrayed yourselves
(31) please do not also sell us out
(32) we have dreams and ideals
(33) we have a few things to say
(34) as you broke all your promises
(35) we chose to rise and join this sit-in
(36) (protest against police brutality, protect our liberty and human rights)
(37) we are not leaving Liberty Square
with the modest hope that our voices will be heard
(38) please visit our website and check out our statement
(39) if you agree with us
please come and sit with us peacefully
(40) The Wild Strawberries Movement
(41)
http://action1106.blogspot.com
http://taiwanstudentmovement2008.blogspot.com/
歌詞
我已經睜開眼了 撐過甦醒的疼痛
我伸開雙手迎接四方的風 抖落刺骨的操縱
我不是溫室花朵 你也不用假裝溫柔
我學不會你們虛偽的臉孔 只會真實面對自我
*我們有屬於我們的夢 我們有我們的話想說
在你背叛了自己以後 不要連我們一起出售
我們有屬於我們的夢 我們有我們的話想說
在你背棄了信念以後 灰燼裡我們選擇出走*
安靜不代表認同 和平不代表承受
你的傲慢再一次燙傷了我
這一次我不會沉默
Lyrics:
I have opened my eyes
and have withstood the aches of awakening
I opened up my arms to feel the breeze coming from all directions
and shook off the stinging pains of your control
I was not wrapped in cotton wool
so please save the insincere compassion
I could never understand your hypocrisy
and will always remain true to myself
(refrain)
* we have dreams and ideals
we have a few things to say
after you have betrayed yourselves
please do not also sell us out
we have dreams and ideals
we have a few things to say
as you broke all your promises
we chose to rise and join this sit-in*
silence does not represent acquiescence
nor does peace indicate acceptance
your arrogance has once again burned us
and this time we will no longer remain silent
12 Nov 2008
Updated movement statement Nov. 12
During the time when the negotiator from China, Chen Yunlin visited Taiwan, there was quite a diversity of viewpoints on the visit, and strong emotions on all sides. Actually this is a normal situation in a mature democratic society. But it happened that a great number of Taiwanese people felt that freedom of speech had been infringed by government officials and the police force. Of course, it is necessary when the state guests visit Taiwan that the government should provide the needed protection for their safety. But the size of the police force exceeded all reasonable bounds. For example, on Nov. 3 afternoon, below the mountain on which the Grand Hotel sits, a person was waving the Tibetan Snow Lion Flag, and the policeman forcibly seized this man’s flag and expelled him from the area. On Nov. 4, in front of Grand Hotel, a gentleman named Chen Yunqing was interrogated against his will and then taken back to the police station, which was against his will and infringed his individual rights as a Taiwan citizen. On that same day of Nov. 4, at a music shop located on Chungshan N Rd, the policemen entered the shop and compelled the shop owner to turned off the Taiwanese songs being played and then forced the owner to close the shop. Further, from many other places in and near Taipei many people have delivered the message that their personal rights and freedom of speech were infringed by policemen on different occasions during the Chen Yunlin visit.
During this series of events, we noted the strange situation that when people who were peacefully engaged in the aforementioned activities and were forced by policemen to stop, questioned the policemen about which laws and which regulations prevented them from carrying out peaceful protests, policemen were completely unable to answer. Instead, they could only make very ambiguous statements in reply.
Thus, during the Chen Yunlin visit to Taiwan, draconian enforcement of the law caused the people to become opposed to the government and the police, and became a serious concern of the people of Taiwan. Thus, on Nov. 5, a group of college students and teachers, who are very much concerned that human rights and freedom of speech in Taiwan are being infringed by the government and the police, held a peaceful sit-down protest in many locations across Taiwan, covering the northern, central, and southern parts of the island to make public their concerns about the government’s indifference to Taiwan as an independent and sovereign country and to the human rights of the people of Taiwan. On Nov. 6, through the broadcast on the internet of this sit-in campaign, hundreds of students and teachers from different colleges in Taiwan came to join the sit-down protest in front of the Executive Yuan to let the Administration know their worries and concerns about the situation as it is currently unfolding in Taiwan. We all believe that personal rights and values should be beyond infringement by the government, beyond politics, and no matter which political party we support, we should all care about the situation in which the current Taiwan government infringes on individual rights. We further believe that we should make our concerns known to the current government to request their attention to these matters, so it can take the proper actions in responding to the concern and needs of the people of Taiwan. Our this sit-down protest continued for one day, until November 7 at 4:00PM, when the police used their authority to expel us from our location in front of the Executive Yuan.Based on an earlier group decision, we gathered again at the Taiwan Democracy Memorial, formerly known as Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, to begin the second state of the sit-ins. We decided not to apply for permission to hold a sit-in from the police, and we decided that this sit-down protest will continue for a long period, until the government makes the proper response to our requests, namely, that individual rights and freedoms should be protected by the government instead of being infringed by it. The reason why we decided not to ask for a permit to hold the protest was because we wanted to highlight the ridiculous situation under which individuals must apply to the government for permission to exercise their individual right to assemble freely and to speak freely. On November 9, again after a decision of the group, we decide to name these protests the “Wild Strawberry Sit-In”「野草莓學運」.
The Wild Strawberry Sit-In Protests have three 3 major demands: First, President Ma and Premier Liu should apologize for the violent actions of the police during protests against the visit of China negotiator Chen Yunlin to Taiwan. Second, the director of National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior Mr. Wang and Director General of National Security Bureau, Mr. Tsai should take responsibility for the improper actions of the police and resign from their positions. Finally, we demand that the government change the Assembly and Parade Law, a relic of the martial law era often used to curb public protest in Taiwan, to enable the people assemble at any time and place, requiring only notification to the police, not their permission.The Wild Strawberry Sit-In Protests believe that the government should not use the excuse of a visit by an official of another nation to abuse the power given to them by the people to infringe on individual rights. Further, President Ma and Premier Liu should apologize to the people of Taiwan for the violence committed by policemen during Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan, because as the leaders of the nation, their highest goal is to protect the people of Taiwan, not to infringe their individual rights and physical safety.
Wild Strawberry Sit-Down Protest considers that it is Director of General of National Security and Director of General of National Police Agency, who are planning the whole maintenance of peace this time. So they both should be responsible for the policemen infringe Taiwan people personal right and resign from their public employment.
Wild Strawberry Sit-Down Protest considers that the only way to solve this problem is that government should modify the current parade law from that the people need to do the registration and get approval from the police in advance, if the people want to do such a parade to let people do the parade at anytime and any place, when the people considers it to be necessary.
The Wild Strawberry Sit-In Protest:
Based on our three major demands, we insist on continuing this protest until we receive a positive response from the government.
We insist that the leader of the nation and the heads of the agencies listen to the voice of the people of Taiwan in humility and sincerity, to ensure that all the people of Taiwan can live together in peace and happiness.
Public employees who abuse their power and cause harm to the people of Taiwan should be punished according to the laws and regulations.
We hope that the government will listen to our voice and that the people of Taiwan will continue to support our protest.
Statement from the Musicians
(The appeals are different from the movement, but the ultimate goal is similar!)
On the 4th of November, Sunrise Records store played music as usual to attract customers. However, that was the day when Chen Yun-lin visited. The policemen entered the record store forbade them playing the music merely because it was a song in Minnan-dialect (a.k.a. Taiwanese). The directed policeman, Lee Han-Qin lied to the public that the store closed on their own without any force.
The era of song-forbidden comes back, the expansion of policing power is a prelude of dictator politics that we have come to feared!
We are a group of Taiwanese musicians who treasures freedom and peace. In the past twenty years, citizens have had the right to read poetry written in any languages, to listen to all kinds of music, to compose and to play in different languages including Mandarin Chinese, Formosan languages, Taiwanese, Hakka, and all foreign languages such as English, Japanese, Italian and so on.
We welcome all Chinese visitors who would show respect to the law and people in our country, but we refuse the oppression and hostility from the People's Republic of China's authoritarian regime.We oppose strongly to President Ma Ying-Jeou's submissive attitude to the Chinese communist regime, regarding the events at Sunrise Records store and the crumbling of democratic values due to arrival of Chen Yu-Lin's arrival we solemnly protests. We demand:
1. President Ma must apologize
2. Replace General Chief of National Police Agency Wang
3. Seek responsibilities of Lee Han-chin (李漢卿), deputy director of the Chungcheng First Precinct of the Taipei Municipal Police Bureau
Signatories：（In chronological order）
On the 4th of November, Sunrise Records store played music as usual to attract customers. However, that was the day when Chen Yun-lin visited. The policemen entered the record store forbade them playing the music merely because it was a song in Minnan-dialect (a.k.a. Taiwanese). The directed policeman, Lee Han-Qin lied to the public that the store closed on their own without any force.
The era of song-forbidden comes back, the expansion of policing power is a prelude of dictator politics that we have come to feared!
We are a group of Taiwanese musicians who treasures freedom and peace. In the past twenty years, citizens have had the right to read poetry written in any languages, to listen to all kinds of music, to compose and to play in different languages including Mandarin Chinese, Formosan languages, Taiwanese, Hakka, and all foreign languages such as English, Japanese, Italian and so on.
We welcome all Chinese visitors who would show respect to the law and people in our country, but we refuse the oppression and hostility from the People's Republic of China's authoritarian regime.We oppose strongly to President Ma Ying-Jeou's submissive attitude to the Chinese communist regime, regarding the events at Sunrise Records store and the crumbling of democratic values due to arrival of Chen Yu-Lin's arrival we solemnly protests. We demand:
1. President Ma must apologize
2. Replace General Chief of National Police Agency Wang
3. Seek responsibilities of Lee Han-chin (李漢卿), deputy director of the Chungcheng First Precinct of the Taipei Municipal Police Bureau
Signatories：（In chronological order）
What those children have taught me? (In Mandarin)
This article moves me so much that I link it here (sorry that it is in Mandarin). It is about how passionate young people learn and grow which can be seen during the movement. And the author addresses tenderly to the public and wish people can start to care about us ("those kids" as the author said), no matter if you are approval or disapproval of the movement or not, at least to pay some attention.
There are some pictures too. Still worth visiting!! http://action1106.blogspot.com/2008/11/by_12.html
There are some pictures too. Still worth visiting!! http://action1106.blogspot.com/2008/11/by_12.html
Nov 11 Noon Movement Press
Tuesday November 11th 2008
Press Report Wild-strawberry Movement
Dialogue between Student leaders and Minister Breaks Down
NGO today launched walk in silence; supported by tens of thousands by LIVE transmission the student movement is not lonely at the scene
Last night Cheng Jei-cheng visited the scene and stated, the students’ demands should be resolved through the proper channel in order to achieve the objectives more effectively. But as to the demands for apologies from the President and Premier, also the stepping down of the Senior officers from the National Security Council, Cheng said it was not within his authorities. Spokesperson XU Ren-suk believed Minister Cheng’s reply was very conservative, nevertheless still hope Cheng would assist to convey the student’s demands to the government, and have a face-to-face talk with President Ma and Premier Liu.
Around Mid-night last night, three unknown students came to negotiate with the Wide-Strawberry, claiming they were from the Ministry of Education Discipline Committee under the Promotion of Civic Education Advisory Committee, both sides negotiated for around half an hour. The three Committee members expressed the intent to offer a resolution channel through the Ministry of Education. During the discussion, Changi-ho, a Political Science student from the National Taiwan University Political said that the demands of the students has nothing to do with the Ministry of Education, however if it is because the identities of the students, thus assuming the matter falls into the jurisdiction of the Department of Education, would the same as assuming that any one that has an identity of a farmer, the concern would automatically be addressed by the Ministry of Agriculture, and labors’ grieves addressed by the Council of Labor Affairs. Changi-ho thus contented, “today’s demand is about the respect for fundamental human rights and dignity, even though it is coming from students. If the Ministry of Education was sincere in resolving the matter, then the Ministry should pass on the demands to the Executive Yuan and the Presidential Office. Moreover, we were told since we were little, that we should always pursue fairness and justice, Minister Cheng should be more actively supporting the students’ movement” Chang said.
With only Political Calculation in Minds, the meaning of Justice diminishes
According to reports, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan believes the demands for apologies would cease in two days time, and the spokesperson Xu Ren-suk said this is demonstrative of the arrogance of power, and shows that the government has consistently avoiding students demands face on, full of political trickery and calculation. If they are really concern about us, then should make an effect and reply our demand.
Xu Ren-suk further commented, during Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan, the enforcement of law was excessive, and to such an extent that it constituted violations. Since the President and the Premier are given the highest power by the Constitution, then they should issue a public apology since it was committed under their authorities, and the relevant high-level police and the National Security also should be punished.
You Jia Rao, one of the sit-in students, also stressed, that the Ma Government has been continuously releasing ambiguous messages, sending people to mediate informally, without wanting to resolve this matter formally. The Ma Government has paid little attention to the students’ demands, as there is no sense of justice in their minds.
Moreover, as the government has expressed the intent to hold a public hearing on amendment to the Assembly and Parade Law, spokesperson Xu Ren-suk said the students welcome the goodwill, but at the same time, Xu stressed, the students’ demands are not limited to the amendment to the Assembly and Parade Law, since during this period, the government has not been forthcoming about the excessive law enforcement, and even found excuses for the excessive use of force. Hence, the government has not opened a dialogue to engage the students in any talks ay all.
Wang Zhuojun, the Head of National Police Administration when questioned yesterday at the Legislative Yuan, still maintained the policy enforcement was not excessive, and refused to apologize. Lee Li-Wei, a media student believes that, when Shan-yuan Record shop was forced to turn off music, close the shop, and the military policies can force their ways into senators’ private rooms amongst others incidents, shall be deemed as human rights violations, even unconstitutional. But, the government, including the Ma administration, the Administration Yuan, the National Policy Administration, the National Security Bureau, even Taipei City government still defending the excessive law enforcement. It makes one wonder, what mentalities and mind frames can make them so confident? Lee continues to said, it is so hard for a head of a government to apologize for his action?
Translated from http://action1106.blogspot.com/2008/11/1111_11.html
Press Report Wild-strawberry Movement
Dialogue between Student leaders and Minister Breaks Down
NGO today launched walk in silence; supported by tens of thousands by LIVE transmission the student movement is not lonely at the scene
Last night Cheng Jei-cheng visited the scene and stated, the students’ demands should be resolved through the proper channel in order to achieve the objectives more effectively. But as to the demands for apologies from the President and Premier, also the stepping down of the Senior officers from the National Security Council, Cheng said it was not within his authorities. Spokesperson XU Ren-suk believed Minister Cheng’s reply was very conservative, nevertheless still hope Cheng would assist to convey the student’s demands to the government, and have a face-to-face talk with President Ma and Premier Liu.
Around Mid-night last night, three unknown students came to negotiate with the Wide-Strawberry, claiming they were from the Ministry of Education Discipline Committee under the Promotion of Civic Education Advisory Committee, both sides negotiated for around half an hour. The three Committee members expressed the intent to offer a resolution channel through the Ministry of Education. During the discussion, Changi-ho, a Political Science student from the National Taiwan University Political said that the demands of the students has nothing to do with the Ministry of Education, however if it is because the identities of the students, thus assuming the matter falls into the jurisdiction of the Department of Education, would the same as assuming that any one that has an identity of a farmer, the concern would automatically be addressed by the Ministry of Agriculture, and labors’ grieves addressed by the Council of Labor Affairs. Changi-ho thus contented, “today’s demand is about the respect for fundamental human rights and dignity, even though it is coming from students. If the Ministry of Education was sincere in resolving the matter, then the Ministry should pass on the demands to the Executive Yuan and the Presidential Office. Moreover, we were told since we were little, that we should always pursue fairness and justice, Minister Cheng should be more actively supporting the students’ movement” Chang said.
With only Political Calculation in Minds, the meaning of Justice diminishes
According to reports, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan believes the demands for apologies would cease in two days time, and the spokesperson Xu Ren-suk said this is demonstrative of the arrogance of power, and shows that the government has consistently avoiding students demands face on, full of political trickery and calculation. If they are really concern about us, then should make an effect and reply our demand.
Xu Ren-suk further commented, during Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan, the enforcement of law was excessive, and to such an extent that it constituted violations. Since the President and the Premier are given the highest power by the Constitution, then they should issue a public apology since it was committed under their authorities, and the relevant high-level police and the National Security also should be punished.
You Jia Rao, one of the sit-in students, also stressed, that the Ma Government has been continuously releasing ambiguous messages, sending people to mediate informally, without wanting to resolve this matter formally. The Ma Government has paid little attention to the students’ demands, as there is no sense of justice in their minds.
Moreover, as the government has expressed the intent to hold a public hearing on amendment to the Assembly and Parade Law, spokesperson Xu Ren-suk said the students welcome the goodwill, but at the same time, Xu stressed, the students’ demands are not limited to the amendment to the Assembly and Parade Law, since during this period, the government has not been forthcoming about the excessive law enforcement, and even found excuses for the excessive use of force. Hence, the government has not opened a dialogue to engage the students in any talks ay all.
Wang Zhuojun, the Head of National Police Administration when questioned yesterday at the Legislative Yuan, still maintained the policy enforcement was not excessive, and refused to apologize. Lee Li-Wei, a media student believes that, when Shan-yuan Record shop was forced to turn off music, close the shop, and the military policies can force their ways into senators’ private rooms amongst others incidents, shall be deemed as human rights violations, even unconstitutional. But, the government, including the Ma administration, the Administration Yuan, the National Policy Administration, the National Security Bureau, even Taipei City government still defending the excessive law enforcement. It makes one wonder, what mentalities and mind frames can make them so confident? Lee continues to said, it is so hard for a head of a government to apologize for his action?
Translated from http://action1106.blogspot.com/2008/11/1111_11.html
Liou must apologize for his comment and the recent events!!
During an interview, Liou replied legislators asked him to apologise personally in Legislative Yuan "But I didn't, these things only take all of two days to blow over", accidentally let his mind slipped out. Surprisingly, as the highest official of the administrative branch, Liou faced with public outcry on demanding freedom and basic human rights as if a minister under the martial law in the late 80s. We demand Liou to show humility to his public given power and to the people who bestowed it upon him! We demand his apology immediately for his comments! We demand his apology for recent events of police suppressing human rights!
[Reuters] Taiwan man sets himself on fire near protest site
TAIPEI (Reuters) - A 79-year-old Taiwan man set himself on fire Tuesday near a week-old anti-government protest but the reason for his action and his condition were not immediately known, the capital's fire department said. (more)
Support from Israel
The blog of an Israeli PhD student who spent some time in Taiwan:
http://www.filination.com/blog/2008/11/10/taiwans-wild-berries-movement-ncku-taiwanese-students-protest/
http://www.filination.com/blog/2008/11/10/taiwans-wild-berries-movement-ncku-taiwanese-students-protest/
[News] Apologise? Liou: Takes all of two days to blow over.
(Liberty Times 11/11/2008)
Wild Strawberries sit-in protest students demanded Ma, Liou to apologise and Wang Cho-Chiun(王卓鈞) to step down. When interevewed by ETToday Liou states that according to the polls 60% of population believe the responsibility lie with the opposition, and the students' demands are "misaligned with mainstream opinion". During intervals between interview, host Lu Hsiu-fang (盧秀芳) asked about legislators wanting government to apologise for the abuse of police power, Liou replied stating legislators had wanted him to apologise personally in Legislative Yuan "But I didn't, these things only take all of two days to blow over", accidentally let his mind slipped out.
Students demands for amending the Parade and Assembly law, Liou states that he acknowledge this, thus will push towards this direction, and will organise public hearings to seek concensus in the community; also the weather's getting cooler and exam period's quickly approaching, further sit-ins are unhealthy and he cares for the students.
Minister of Education arrived at the Freedom Square yesterday, did not respond to students request
In other news, Minister of Education Cheng Jei-cheng (鄭瑞城) after a meeting with Liou, arrived at Freedom Square around 6pm to visit the protesters. Cheng stated that he will pass the requests along from the students, however he did not respond to the issue of police abusing of their powers, as he openly admit he have no power to make any announcements with "other demands". Cheng was questioned by the students "Why does the minister's visit felt like a gift?", also there was tens of onlookers protests against "Admitting Chinese college degrees" and "Ministry of Education should be more considerate to Taiwanese graduates". Since Cheng arrived without notice, students at first did not recognise him, subsequently had asked who he was.
Cheng said he would like to give his regards on behalf of Liou and Ministry of Education, he hope the students would take care of themselves, and don't catch a cold, and asked whether students had eaten yet. Some students yelled "Thanks for your consideration." As for students' demand, Cheng would like to advise the students the direction legislative yuan's going is quite similar, and he would pass the demands along for the students. He also calls for respecting the current law, as any amendment must go through proper procedures.
Wild Strawberries sit-in protest students demanded Ma, Liou to apologise and Wang Cho-Chiun(王卓鈞) to step down. When interevewed by ETToday Liou states that according to the polls 60% of population believe the responsibility lie with the opposition, and the students' demands are "misaligned with mainstream opinion". During intervals between interview, host Lu Hsiu-fang (盧秀芳) asked about legislators wanting government to apologise for the abuse of police power, Liou replied stating legislators had wanted him to apologise personally in Legislative Yuan "But I didn't, these things only take all of two days to blow over", accidentally let his mind slipped out.
Students demands for amending the Parade and Assembly law, Liou states that he acknowledge this, thus will push towards this direction, and will organise public hearings to seek concensus in the community; also the weather's getting cooler and exam period's quickly approaching, further sit-ins are unhealthy and he cares for the students.
Minister of Education arrived at the Freedom Square yesterday, did not respond to students request
In other news, Minister of Education Cheng Jei-cheng (鄭瑞城) after a meeting with Liou, arrived at Freedom Square around 6pm to visit the protesters. Cheng stated that he will pass the requests along from the students, however he did not respond to the issue of police abusing of their powers, as he openly admit he have no power to make any announcements with "other demands". Cheng was questioned by the students "Why does the minister's visit felt like a gift?", also there was tens of onlookers protests against "Admitting Chinese college degrees" and "Ministry of Education should be more considerate to Taiwanese graduates". Since Cheng arrived without notice, students at first did not recognise him, subsequently had asked who he was.
Cheng said he would like to give his regards on behalf of Liou and Ministry of Education, he hope the students would take care of themselves, and don't catch a cold, and asked whether students had eaten yet. Some students yelled "Thanks for your consideration." As for students' demand, Cheng would like to advise the students the direction legislative yuan's going is quite similar, and he would pass the demands along for the students. He also calls for respecting the current law, as any amendment must go through proper procedures.
A letter to the Financial Times
by Dr. Hung-En Sung, The City University of New York
with remarks on the violation violations of freedoms of speech at the protests during the visit of the Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9bd8cba0-af90-11dd-a4bf-000077b07658.html
with remarks on the violation violations of freedoms of speech at the protests during the visit of the Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9bd8cba0-af90-11dd-a4bf-000077b07658.html
500 academics sign support for 'wild strawberry movement'
More than 500 university professors and liberal scholars signed a statement Monday supporting a student-led drive, dubbed the "wild strawberry movement, " aimed at amending the existing Parade and Assembly Law. ...
Sie möchten Teil einer Jugendbewegung sein
Die jungen Taiwaner werden spöttisch Strawberry Generation genannt.
Weil die nach ca. 1980 Geborenen Taiwans Militärdiktatur nicht mehr bewusst erlebt haben, weil viele von Ihnen Freiheit und Wohlstand als selbstverständlich hinnehmen, und weil sie als so empfindliche Sensibelchen gelten wie… nun ja, Erdbeeren nun mal. ...
What can we learn from Obama: Yes we can!
President Obama has already started to govern his country. Actually it is an E – Government.
On www.change.gov he is proposing his ideas for a new America.
Why is there no change.tw? Someone should start a new webpage where people can publish their ideas about how they would like to see Taiwan in 10 years.
By the way: President Obamas advisers for east asia want to come in the end of November to Taiwan to talk with Mr. Ma (respecting his felt acceptable not to be called president).
It is a good chance to show Obama and the world: Taiwan, yes we can!
On www.change.gov he is proposing his ideas for a new America.
Why is there no change.tw? Someone should start a new webpage where people can publish their ideas about how they would like to see Taiwan in 10 years.
By the way: President Obamas advisers for east asia want to come in the end of November to Taiwan to talk with Mr. Ma (respecting his felt acceptable not to be called president).
It is a good chance to show Obama and the world: Taiwan, yes we can!
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