Taiwan Government, Mainland Practices

When Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou met with China’s "Relations Across the Straight" Chairman Chen Yunlin, after having signed agreements to open up trade and transport between the two countries, they shook hands and drank champagne.

But over 10,000 Taiwanese fervently protested. They were in favor of maintaining independence and democracy in their country. They wanted CCP representative Chen to leave, and President Ma to step down.

The National Police Agency and the National Security Bureau will now be investigated for the manner in which they executed security measures (the security operation was called "Operation Concord") for the Chinese delegation during its Taiwan visit in November. The allegations were put forth in a petition signed by 25 groups and 218 academics.

The petition reads, "In executing operation Concord, (the NSB and NPA) violated people’s freedom of movement and the right to be at public places, taking excessive measures such as closing off the airport, public roads, sidewalks, and hotels all in the name of protecting Chen’s personal safety. In our constitutional history, the government has never closed off public spaces on such a large scale or so seriously restricted freedom of movement. The aforementioned agencies have obviously violated several laws."

The petition cites various incidences in which protesters wearing t-shirts which affirmed that Taiwan is a separate country, holding Tibetan flags of the flag of Taiwan were removed forcibly by police so that they could not walk past buildings in which Chen was visiting, including video, photographs, medical reports and police reports. Petitioners have been assured that an investigation will take place.

NPA Director-General Wang Cho-chiun, NSB Director Tsai Chao-ming and National Security Council Secretary-General Su Chi could face impeachment if found guilty.

On December 11, police disbanded the students who had been staging a sit-in protest in for over a month against the police abuse during recent anti-China demonstrations in November.

On Thursday student representative Lo Shih-hsiang spoke out against the government, saying "Less than 24 hours ago, President Ma Ying-jeou told the media that Taiwan is the freest country for demonstrations and rallies. Now, at five in the morning today, without any warning, the student protestors were rounded up by the police. Even the supporters of Tibet who were demonstrating on the side were carried away by the police. I think this is a disgrace."

The students have returned to the site of protest.

On the same day, President Ma Ying-jeou made a strange declaration at the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award ceremony in Taipei, where he was challenged by pro-Tibetan groups as well as group protesting the partial demolishment of the Lo Sheng Sanatorium (done to make way for a Mass Rapid Transport maintenance deport).

"We support legal activities, but we crack down on illegal ones. Taiwan must enter a new stage. Elections are only a form of democracy. A true democracy is one that protects the people’s freedom, rights and the rule of law."

Sources:
http://www.tibetsun.com/
http://www.welt.de/english-news/article2682976/Taiwan-China-meeting-swarmed-by-protesters.html
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/11/25/2003429483
http://thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news.asp?icid=2&p=4&d_str=20081217
http://english.rti.org.tw/Content/GetSingleNews.aspx?ContentID=69861
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/12/11/2003430813

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