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Congress asked to
support medical parole for Chen Shui-bian
September 22, 2013 Michael Richardson
http://www.examiner.com/article/congress-asked-to-support-medical-parole-for-chen-shui-bian?CID=examiner_alerts_article
Official photo
U.S. Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ)
sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to all 435 members of the House of
Representatives on Sept. 20 urging them to co-sponsor resolution HCR46 that
concludes: "Congress urges the Government of Taiwan to grant former President
Chen Shui-bian medical parole to ensure that he receives the highest level of
medical attention, effective immediately."
The resolution was introduced by Andrews at the end of July but failed to draw
widespread support.
The "Dear Colleague" letter reads: "Mr. Chen has languished in jail since
December 2008 on corruption charges that Taiwan observers claim are politically
motivated. Because of Mr. Chen's present poor physical and mental health, it is
time that the former President is granted medical parole on humanitarian grounds
so he can receive the treatment he needs."
Representative Andrews quotes from the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act: ""The
preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people of Taiwan are
hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States. The fact that a former
head of state is treated in such a deplorable manner is clearly in violation of
the values of democracy and human rights that we as a nation hold high. Congress
cannot be silent when we believe these standards are not being met."
Andrews called for an end to the restrictions on Chen’s receipt of medical care:
"Mr. Chen should be allowed to pick a care provider of his own choice and the
process of granting medical parole needs to start right away. In Taiwan, the
judicial system allows for medical parole and it is time for the government to
allow Mr. Chen this right."
Mark Kao, president of the Formosa Association for Public Affairs, supports the
Congressional appeal to help Chen Shui-bian: "The treatment of former President
Chen is a clear violation of human rights. Any prisoner in a democracy should be
allowed full access to adequate medical resources in order to treat physical
conditions; let alone a former head of state."
“It is a disgrace that a former president is deprived of his basic human rights.
We therefore urge the Ma government to also recognize the damage Chen's
treatment continues to cause towards Taiwan's international image and grant
President Chen full medical parole immediately."
The resolution for medical parole and access to appropriate medical care is
highlighted by the latest appeal from Chen Shui-bian’s volunteer medical team.
On August 13, after Chen Shui-bian applied for medical care at his own expenses
(based on the self-financed medical care law for inmates) with endorsement from
his assigned doctor at Taichung Prison, a member of Chen’s volunteer medical
team,Dr. Chen Chiao-chicy, a renowned psychiatrist, was finally allowed to
examine Chen at the prison.
However, after Dr. Chen's examination, the team was told that each treatment
visit must be approved as a new case. Dr. Chen Chiao-chicy's second application,
as well as the application by Dr. Chen Shuen-shen, a world famous neurologist,
have been put aside. The staff at Taichung Prison say they had no authority to
approve the applications and they must wait for instructions from the Ministry
of Justice. Currently, there is no Minister of Justice and the deputy minister
does not respond to the doctors. As a result team members are not able to visit
President Chen again, and the planned 2nd surgery to treat his severe sleep
apnea is also unresolved.
Meanwhile, the former president of the Republic of China in-exile remains at
Taichung Prison, where he has attempted suicide since his transfer from a locked
psychiatric room at Taipei Veterans Hospital. Visitors report Chen suffers from
continued problems of slurred speech, stuttering, and uncontrollable hand
tremors.
Chen Shui-bian ruled the Republic of China in-exile from 2000 to 2008 and has
been in jail since shortly after his term ended. Chen was convicted of alleged
corruption following a controversial, no-jury trial. Chen supporters say he is
the victim of a political vendetta by his successor, Ma Ying-jeou.
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