News

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Global Petition for LSL

Please support our joint petition to voice the rights of leprosy patients at the Lo Sheng Leprosarium (LSL) who were quarantined here by force for decades since 1929 during the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan (1895-1945). Over 300 elderly patients, at age average seventy-five, are now issued to be relocated against their will (again) by the local government of Taiwan, to clear way for metro construction on the site of LSL.The petition demands a hold to the metro construction and demands due respect to the human rights of the elderly leprosy patients who have spent most of their lives at…

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International Human Rights Day

International Human Rights Day was marked in Taipei by a march against the political killings in the Philippines. Some seventy overseas Filipinos and Taiwanese friends staged the mass action in the Chung Shan North Road area, where most Filipinos in Taipei are found during Sundays.Shouting Stop the killings and uphold human rights in the Philippines, the marchers stopped three times to encourage migrant workers they passed by to place stickers on a plain Philippine map. This symbolized their intent that such killings would not occur in their home provinces back home.At the start of the activity, the protesters pressed their…

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Imminent Execution: Chong Deshu (鍾德樹)

Amnesty International has just learnt that Chong Deshu is at risk of imminent execution in Taiwan. His execution order was reportedly signed by the Minister of Justice on 1 December 2006. This is particularly regrettable given that the Taiwan’s Minister of Justice, Shih Mao-Lin, appears to have signed the execution order just weeks after sending a letter to Amnesty International last month in which he promised to “give serious thought to [Amnesty International’s] suggestion not to carry out any executions over the coming months.” On the eve of the World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October, Amnesty International had…

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TAHR event

What constitutes terrorism? Is “war on terror” a war between nation-states or laws that define criminal acts? Post-911 anti-terrorism legislation advocated by the United States to the rest of the world promises better national security but posts challenge to human rights protection. Is national security opposing human rights protection or safeguarding it? On 10 November 2006, an important forum on “Homeland Security and Human Rights Protection” took place in Taipei. It was organized by Taiwan Association for Human Rights (TAHR台灣人權促進會) with commission from Counter Terror Control Office, Executive Yuan (行政院反恐怖行動管控辦公室). This public forum aimed to facilitate much needed discussion on…

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The 22nd Annual Fundraising Dinner

Once again, as part of our continuing effort to protect human rights in Taiwan, Taiwan Association for Human Rights will be holding our 22nd annual fund raising dinner“Human Rights as the Third Political Power”on Friday 29th September, 2006 at Y17, Ren-ai Rd., Taipei. We extend a cordial invitation to our friends out there and whoever might be interested in supporting our work. The ticket is 2000 NT each including a 10 course meal, concerts, and short plays conducted by our board members. The highlight of the evening will be auctions of highly artistic and beautiful artworks ranging from oil paintings…

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Irrepressible.Info

This is a campaign launched by Amnesty International to highlight on the many different ways that the freedom to use the net is limited by governments. Around the globe net cafes are being closed down, home PCs are being confiscated, chat in discussion forums is being watched and blogs are being censored or removed. “The internet has become a new frontier in the struggle for human rights,” said Kate Allen, UK director of Amnesty International. Chinese journalist Shi Tao is serving a 10-year jail sentence for sending an e-mail overseas which detailed the restrictions the Chinese government wanted to impose…

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[TAHR] Network News — May

A magnificent Rome was not built in one day, and it would take more than one day to destroy a vicious Rome. During the process of democratization, Taiwan has never looked back to identify the root causes for violence or provided transitional justice initiatives. Up-to-date, numerous policies, laws, culture myth and value are still shadowed by Martial Law, waiting in the dark corners of society for the chance to resume lost power. They linger in the sub-consciousness of our bureaucrats and citizens or even blatantly appear in the form of present laws. And worst of all, nobody seems to care.…

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[TAHR] Network News — May

A magnificent Rome was not built in one day, and it would take more than one day to destroy a vicious Rome. During the process of democratization, Taiwan has never looked back to identify the root causes for violence or provided transitional justice initiatives. Up-to-date, numerous policies, laws, culture myth and value are still shadowed by Martial Law, waiting in the dark corners of society for the chance to resume lost power. They linger in the sub-consciousness of our bureaucrats and citizens or even blatantly appear in the form of present laws. And worst of all, nobody seems to care.…

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March for Tibet

On March 10, 2006, the 47th Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day, TAHR joined the march against China’s occupation force and political persecution in Tibet. Apart from the Tibetans living in Taiwan, many Taiwanese people and groups participated as well. With banners, signs and rhythmic chanting, over 100 people walked and made their voice heard in the streets of Taipei. Please see HERE for details.