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An Open Letter to the
Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan
Jack Healey, Founder, Human Rights Action Center Posted:
02/25/2013 7:53 am
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-healey/open-letter-democratic-progressive_b_2758076.html
I hope this missive finds all of you well and healthy. This is the first time I
have ever gone to a political party for help. I want to make it clear that I am
coming to you from a space outside of party politics and am standing instead on
the ground of human rights concerns for the former mayor of Taipei and the
two-time President of Taiwan. But most of all, I ask you to support your former
president. He needs your help now. He helped you. He helped Taiwan. He is a
symbol of your nation and symbols do not die.
Taiwan's human rights achievements have been impressive, and the move towards
real democracy and respect for pluralism have been considerable. Those
milestones are at risk right now, with a sinking into the grimmest of party
politics and a failure to defend principles of human rights and decency.
Mr. Chen Shui-bian has spent over four years in jail for corruption. Many human
rights people inside and outside of Taiwan doubt the fairness of the trial.
These accusation and convictions will be judged by history one way or another.
But the time for Chen is running out faster than that. We sent two respected
human rights researchers and advocates, Hans Wahl and Harreld Dinkins as part of
an HRAC team to investigate the conditions of Chen's detention and their main
finding was concern about Chen's health care (and lack) in prison to make
conditions worse and permanent. The reports were not a ringing endorsement of
prisoner rights in Taiwan nor the ability of Taiwan to transition from one party
to another without sentiments of acrimony and revenge, two characteristics one
doesn't associate with a stable and flourishing democracy.
Each of you in the DPP needs to look at your former leader and president and see
how he is doing as a human being. Forget the flash visits to the hospital where
tests were run like there was an emergency to move quickly. Forget the cell and
its size or the question of his bedding. The fundamental premise is this: The
health conditions of any person held by the state are the responsibility of the
state. Just look at the result of this imprisonment and that conclusion can be
seen by just getting into the room with Chen. His health issues were not dealt
with properly in the prison system. The damage done by this neglect is
permanent, physically and psychologically. This is a travesty of international
norms. The medical well-being of inmates is the responsibility of the State, and
in this case Taiwan has failed to live up to international standards and release
is the only way to mitigate this responsibility.
Democracy demands justice, but also orderly transitions between parties and
should foster compassion. That is why President Ford forgave President Richard
Nixon and let him go home with a bit of dignity. The U.S. was served well by
that decision. No jail time for Nixon who made a run against the U.S.
Constitution. President Ford made a great decision for his nation. President Ma
should do the same. Peru convicted Fujimori of murder, bodily harm, and
kidnapping. In the meantime, it is Chen, never accused of violence against
Taiwan, who is convicted and suffers permanent physical damage. This is not the
behavior of a civilized government.
Any one who twice won a national election is an enduring symbol of Taiwan. The
harm brought on by the prison system will not be forgotten by them. Symbols do
not die; they fade, but are not forgotten. Your party supported him. Many of you
were elected and probably inspired to go into politics by him. No figure has
come along in the DPP to rival the political ability of this man and the lack of
decisive action on a human rights basis calls the honor of the DPP itself into
question with tepid and lackluster efforts.
Now it is your turn. Begin with a massive rally to call for President Ma to send
Mr. Chen home. Do not seek party politics. Do not seek to challenge everything
about the KMT. Seek to forge alliances across party lines, for this is how
politics get more civil and this is how principles are protected. Hau Lung-bin
is an example of this strategy. Seek the principles of human rights and peaceful
governmental transitions. Lobby politicians from across the spectrum to get the
Yuan and the President Ma's office to do what it takes to release this man.
Agitate the global media to tell the story of disregarding a former head of
state's medical demise as a result of his imprisonment. Organize human rights
organizations to make the case for his freedom. Mr. Chen's legal and medical
case needs a serious review and a call for compassion of a gravely ill man. A
follow-up report may be useful.
Taiwan's advances to a democratic nation have been impressive. Both KMT and DPP
must realize that if Chen dies in prison, there will be ruptures in the body
politic. The nation will inter the spirit that has struggled for human rights
improvements. The world will wonder why, with anger inside the nation and
disbelief internationally. The DPP has a chance to prove itself worthy of the
nation by getting Mr Chen home. Just do it.
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