wfn.org | Who Cares for Taiwan?

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Friends Around the World

Taiwan delegation to the World Health Assembly, Geneva 2004

WHO CARES FOR TAIWAN?!

23 million people stand isolated

Geneva, May 2004

Based on our Christian faith and belief, our Biblical understanding of love,
ethics, and basic human rights of all peoples, the Presbyterian Church in
Taiwan (PCT) humbly appeals to citizens around the world to support Taiwan!&s
application for membership and full participation in the World Health
Organization (WHO) and related World Health Assembly (WHA).  We seek your
support and assistance in bringing this request to the attention of WHO, the
UN, your local MPs/Senators and respective Governments.

As a faith community we especially appeal to all PCT partner churches and
related ecumenical organizations to make this an issue of prayer and action.
We further ask our Christian sisters and brothers to bring this request to
the
attention of your relevant church committees and church courts.

PCT sincerely and firmly believes the question of WHO membership transcends
politics - it is a matter of basic human rights.  The 23 million citizens of
Taiwan, and the thousands of foreign nationals residing in our country,
should
not be deprived of their right to the services WHO provides.  On the other
hand neither should we be denied the right to make our contribution to the
world community.

A highly developed, educated, affluent and democratic nation, the people of
Taiwan are eager and willing to give of their knowledge, expertise and
resources to others.  This is clearly demonstrated by the commendable record
of both our Government and various NGOs who have provided international
medical assistance and contributed substantially to humanitarian aid and
disaster relief in other countries on numerous occasions.

The fact that Taiwan is denied the right to participate fully in WHO leaves a
major gap in the global battle against epidemics and the general public
health
and well being of all God!&s people.  A fact painfully highlighted in 1998
when the !'entero virus!( infection claimed the lives of nearly 80 Taiwanese
children and yet again during the 2003 SARS epidemic.  This is
incomprehensible and an immoral state of affairs living as we do in such a
highly developed, technological age and in an era, more than any other in
human history, where the number of cross-cultural marriages are increasing
and
international travel is widely accessible, culminating in the world becoming
a
global village community.

It is not too much to ask that Taiwan!&s people be granted the dignity and
the
right to act as responsible world citizens along side other nations in an
organization which clearly states in the principles of its constitution:

The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the
fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race,
religion,
political belief, economic or social condition.

The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and
security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and
States.*

Fundamental to our faith as members of the universal Christian church is the
greatest commandment to love God and likewise to !'Love your neighbour as you
love yourself	(Mark 10:27b).	PCT members have both a spiritual and moral
obligation to love our neighbours in our own land and globally.

Undoubtedly, the people of Taiwan care deeply for WHO and all it stands for
but the question remains - who cares for Taiwan?

We thank you for your solidarity and action.

Sincerely yours,

Rev. Chen Dao-Shiung					       Rev. William
J.
K. Lo

Moderator 49th General Assembly 			      General
Secretary

Rev. Chen Hsin-Liang

Vice Moderator 49th General Assembly

For More Information: E-mail:  PCT General Secretary < gs@mail.pct.org.tw >

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