Human rights get mixed report card

By Irene Lin
STAFF REPORTER
News from Taipei Times


Human rights conditions in Taiwan have improved over the past year, but causes for concern remain, according to a year-end evaluation released yesterday.

The Taiwan Association for Human Rights (台灣人權促進會) released its evaluation of human rights conditions in Taiwan for the year 2000 yesterday, listing improvements as well as setbacks.

Lin Feng-jeng (林峰正), chairperson of the association, said it is expected the society could use the evaluation as an indicator of human rights conditions in Taiwan.

Four out of the 10 items on the evaluation pointed to areas where change has been for the better, and six others referred to areas of concern. The best news, according to the report, was that the Hsichih Trio were granted a retrial in October.

"For many who have campaigned all these years for justice in the controversial case, this is really encouraging," said Chen Chun-hung (陳俊宏), the association's vice chairperson.

Following the change of government in May, the new administration has impressed the human rights organization with public support for and a series of measures to enhance protection of human rights in Taiwan.

These actions have included the formation of the Human Rights Advisory Group, the halting of construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (核四) and the president's recent pledges on the possible granting of amnesties in three controversial cases.

The association said that these cases signaled significant progress in respect for human rights in the country. It noted, however, there are still human rights issues that have long gone unnoticed in Taiwan society.

Liu Ching-yi (劉靜怡), a member of the association's executive board, indicated that areas of worry have been reported in the field of environmental protection, worker's rights and the disabled.

Of most concern was the serious pollution of the Kaoping River in Southern Taiwan that occurred earlier in the year, followed by the Pachang Creek (八掌溪) incident, in which four workers were swept to their deaths as rescue services dithered about how to save them.

Moreover, Liu said many women in the country are still suffering from domestic violence despite the fact that laws against domestic violence had been in force for over a year.

She also called attention to discrimination against the mentally disabled and their families, as well as against the foreign nationals married to Taiwan men.

"We're glad to see there is some good news, but still we know there are lots of people in need of our help," Liu said.

The 10 human rights issues for the year 2000

Change for better

1. The Hsichih Trio granted a retrial
2. New government takes action to protect human rights;
- Pledges to press for improved human rights policies
- Presidential amnesty granted in three controversial cases
- Halting the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant
3. Maximum workweek shortened
4. Formation of gay and lesbian organizations and gradual recognition by the community

Cause for concern

1. Kaoping River polluted by toxic waste
2. Four riverbed workers killed in a flash flood at Pachang Creek, indicating flaws in workplace safety measures and the emergency rescue system
3. Implementation of restraining orders doesn't deter domestic violence
4. Taichung City Government crackdown on the homeless
5. Discrimination by society against the mentally handicapped and their families
6. Foreign women married to Taiwanese men refused the right to work