wfn.org | PCT Calls for Calm and Reason to Solve Crisis in Taiwan

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>Taiwan Church News

>2961 Edition

>November 24~30, 2008

PCT Calls for Calm and Reason to Solve Crisis in Taiwan

>Reported by Lin Yi-ying

>Written by Lydia Ma

Taiwanese society has become increasingly tense lately with the new  government compromising national sovereignty through China leaning  policies, judicial investigations targeting opposition party members  while overlooking members from the ruling party, the use of violence by  police to suppress citizens, and biased reports by the media that do not  reflect the whole truth behind events. Due to the worsening situation,  the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) called a  press conference on November 20th, urging all Taiwanese to face the  current national crisis with reason and calmness. The PCT urged citizens  to be levelheaded in their efforts to protect human rights, basic  freedoms, and social justice in Taiwan.

According to PCT General Assembly moderator, Asing Aman, the Ma  administration has not stopped causing confrontation and animosity among  Taiwanese people, violating Taiwanese human rights, and compromising  national security from the time it took office. Based on the PCT's  spiritual convictions, it must speak out in times like these to protect  the country and the people from greater harm. The PCT urges the  government to do all it can to prevent further senseless antagonism.

PCT General Secretary Andrew Chang stresses that recent events have led  the Taiwanese people to lose faith in the government and the country.  Some people are so disappointed that they are ready to use violence to  counter violence. If violent opposition and irrationality continue, the  country could lose peace and justice soon. Hence, the PCT called a press  conference to urge the Ma administration to deal with the unlawful  actions of the judiciary, unethical prosecution, and violation of basic  human rights. The PCT would like to see the government committed to  ensuring due process and defending people’s rights.

Chang criticized the media for its biased news coverage and reminded  reporters that it is their duty to make sure reports are fair,  impartial, accurate, and professional. He also urged the public to  remain levelheaded y using reason and calmness when defending human  rights and justice. He hopes that executive and judicial authorities can  truly use their governing powers fairly and justly so that the people  can regain confidence in the government and the judicial system.