Taiwan: Students from Thirty-Seven Universities Call to Rescue Their Peers Facing Persecution in China

Recently, college students throughout Taiwan jointly conducted a press conference, calling to rescue persecuted students of China's Tsinghua University. According to Mr. Dashan Chang, a graduate student from Taiwan Tsinghua university and the initiator of this event, this is the most severe and large-scale persecution of students in China since the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square incident. The petition being circulated is the first that Taiwanese students and scholars have conducted to oppose the Party's vicious infringements of the rights of students, and to call on the Chinese government to immediately and unconditionally release the students and restore their human rights. More than 16,000 college students and scholars throughout Taiwan have signed the petition since February 17, and the number is increasing each day.

On February 26, a group of students gathered at the Taiwan University Alumni Association Hall to call on the public to pay attention to the facts of the Chinese government's persecution of students. Attendees included: Director of the Taiwan Peace-Promoting Association, Mr. Kan Xi, Professor Huang Mo from Dongwu University, Director of Taiwan Human Rights-Promoting Association, Mr. Lin Fengcheng, student representative of Taiwan Tsinghua University, Mr. Chen Junhong, student representative from Taiwan University, Mr. Chen Huanyu, President of Normal University, Mr. Jiang Zongxian, and student representative from Tsinchu Chiao Tong University, Mr. Li Jianghao.

Taiwan Tsinghua student representative, Mr. Chen Junhong said that the student association felt disappointed about what has happened in Beijing Tsinghua and hoped that it would not continue. Chen Huanyu from Taiwan University said that when someone encounters unjustifiable suppression, as a human being, as a student, everyone has the responsibility to oppose it. President of the Normal University Student Association Mr. Jiang Zongxian expressed his support of freedom of belief. He expressed Normal University students' support to the event. Mr. Li Jianhao, a student from Tsingchu Chiao Tong University said that upon learning about the situation, the university's President Mr. Zhang signed the petition.

Mr. Zhao Ming, a student from Trinity College in Ireland, who graduated from Beijing Tsinghua, related the persecution he had suffered in a Chinese labour camp. Support and help from the Ireland government and officials from Europe enabled him to leave that terrible environment. He said that at least 18 Tsinghua people have been imprisoned without trial simply because they practise Falun Gong.

Zhao Ming said that the students are innocent. They should have their right to think independently. Without this, other social activities would not be meaningful. It is ridiculous to ruin the students' lives. He said that Taiwan has democracy and freedom, and has the ability to help the Chinese people who are in tribulation. Voices of justice from Taiwan will make a difference. Therefore, he appealed to the Taiwan public to help rescue Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China for their belief.

Director of Taiwan Human Rights-Promoting Association Mr. Lin Fengcheng said that the persecution of Falun Gong has affected all kinds of freedoms, and Taiwan should help. The Taiwanese people should send out a strong voice of justice to oppose the Chinese government's violation of human rights.

Professor Huang Mo from Dongwu University said that we should pay attention to these violations. If we believe that justice will bring us happiness, we should support the persecuted students. He said that Taiwan should utilise this event to carry out deep thinking so as to improve life for each of us.

The director of the Taiwan Peace-Promoting Association Mr. Jan said that Jiang persecutes Falun Gong because of his fear, since the one who uses violence is the weakest one. He gave examples including the civil rights movement in the United States, India's non-violent movement as well as the Taiwanese case of the Lin House to illustrate that the truth will ultimately prevail. China should rethink its attitude to Falun Gong. In order to become a strong civilised country or to unite with Taiwan, China has to stand on the side of the truth rather than to use violence and dollar-diplomacy. Taiwan's people should support Falun Gong.

Two practitioners from Sweden read a statement in both English and Chinese to express thanks to the Taiwan public and hopes that the brilliance of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" will be spread to every corner in the world.

Approximately 37 universities and 27 university student association presidents, 45 professors and instructors including some presidents of universities signed the petition to support this event. The initiator of the event, Mr. Chang, said that the signatures will be sent to universities in Mainland China to express the strong voice of Taiwan's academic circles.

The petition event will continue until the Chinese government stops violating students' human rights.