wfn.org | PCT Issues Three-Point Statement Urging Government to Refrain from Abuse of Power

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

>Taiwan Church News

>2960 Edition

>November 17~23, 2008

PCT Issues Three-Point Statement Urging Government to Refrain from Abuse  of Power

>Reported by Lin Yi-ying

>Written by Lydia Ma

Taiwan’s political scene witnessed plenty of unrest recently  between protests erupting during ARATS chairman Chen Yunlin’s visit  and low popularity ratings for the Ma administration, increasing  inflation, controversies regarding judicial autonomy, and political  persecution of DPP members and Taiwan’s former president Chen  Shui-bian. To many, the current political atmosphere is reminiscent of  White Terror days under a police state. In light of these events,  Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) issued a three-point statement to  the Ma government on November 13th. Entitled “An Appeal by the  Presbyterian Church in Taiwan to President Ma”, the statement urges  the Ma government to let Taiwan’s future be decided by 23 million  Taiwanese and protect Taiwan’s dignity and human rights. The  statement also states that Taiwan would lose its sovereignty and  economic viability if Ma insists on unification with China,

Under the Ma government, the judiciary detained defendants and their  family members and subordinates without substantial proof and before any  trial proceedings with the intent of extracting incriminating evidence  by detention. Commenting of these incidents, C.M. Kao, former secretary  general of PCT, said that he and many other Taiwanese had lost their  trust and confidence in the Taiwanese judiciary. He urges the Ma  administration to refrain from using its executive powers as tools  against members of the other political party. He hopes that Ma Ying-jeou  will truly repent and govern according to God’s teaching as laid  out in the Bible so that Taiwanese people will not be further  disappointed.

However, C.M. Kao is quick to remind the Taiwanese people that,  ultimately, God is the One who is able to change things and God is the  One in control of Taiwan’s destiny. Hence, we should not lose faith  and hope in God even if the President does not repent. He believes that  God will use His authority to discipline the Ma administration and  safeguard Taiwan’s future.

The three-point statement issued by the PCT calls on the Ma  administration to protect human rights as God-given rights. It also  calls for safeguarding Taiwan’s autonomy and independence from  China. Furthermore, it urges political neutrality and complete autonomy  from the judiciary branch as exemplified by modern democracies.

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