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Taiwan, Human Rights, and the WHO
Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan
Respect for human rights is a core value of democracy, and political democracy is an important index for evaluating the rights of freedom and equality of a nation.
In 2000, for the first time in Taiwan's history, the Republic of China (ROC) successfully completed a peaceful change of governing party. Freedom House lists the ROC as one of the free countries of the world in recognition of its improvements in democracy, freedom, and human rights. President Chen Shui-bian has clearly stated that Taiwan will share its experiences in promoting human rights with other countries.
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| Since the late 1950s, Taiwan's agricultural technical missions have shared agricultural expertise and technology with many African nations to help them increase food production. (Photo by Huang Chung-hsin) |
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Volunteers and funding from the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation have helped build the La Romana Elementary School in the hurricane-stricken area of the Dominican Republic. (Courtesy of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation) |
Although Taiwan has made unremitting efforts to uphold and safeguard human rights, the international community has not attended to the rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan. For example, to safeguard the health of the people on Taiwan, the ROC should not be denied membership in the World Health Organization (WHO).
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| A choir of "youth ambassadors" from overseas sings during a performance organized by World Vision Taiwan. (Photo by Yeh Ming-yuan) |
The WHO Constitution clearly states: "The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and States."
In 1971, when the ROC was forced to withdraw from the United Nations, it also lost its membership in the WHO, an organization that it helped to both plan and establish. As a result, the ROC's primary channel for obtaining the latest information on international epidemics was severed, and it was also barred from all WHO academic medical conferences and policy discussions. The international human rights of the people of Taiwan, especially their fundamental right to health, have been treated with indifference. Consequently, the suffering of the people on Taiwan is complicated whenever disasters strike by the fact that the ROC is not a member of such international organizations as the WHO.
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The first truckload of 390,000 out of 5 million condoms, which Taiwan donated, reaches Liberia through the World Health Organization. (Courtesy of the Embassy of the Republic of China, Monrovia, Republic of Liberia)
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Villagers from the flood-stricken province of Henan on the Chinese mainland try on their new coats donated by the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation. (Courtesy of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation)
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| The team from Taipei City joins the earthquake rescue work in El Salvador. (Courtesy of the Embassy of the Republic of China, San Salvador, Republic of El Salvador) |
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Despite this inadequate treatment by the international community, many non-governmental organizations (NGO) in Taiwan continue to contribute to world health and international disaster relief. Their work can be seen in numerous areas around the world: wherever there are wars, natural disasters, or deficient health conditions, Taiwan's NGOs offer immediate humanitarian aid and medical care.
For instance, in October 2001, volunteers from the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation and Knightsbridge International jointly shipped disaster relief supplies, including food, kerosene, sugar, blankets, and medical kits to Afghan refugee camps in Samangan Province. For many years, the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps has provided medical assistance to various regions around the world, especially countries in Africa, Central America, and South America. In 1998, World Vision Taiwan donated large quantities of clothing and other supplies to Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and other countries devastated by Hurricane Mitch. The Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan has donated medical equipment to Mongolia.
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| Residents who lost their homes during the 921 Earthquake in central Taiwan's Tungshih Township set up tents on the Tungshih Elementary School playground. (Photo by Yeh Ming-yuan) |
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Volunteers from the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation distribute batteries, rice, hot food, and other necessities to earthquake victims of the 921 Earthquake. (Photo by Yeh Ming-yuan)
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All of these examples clearly show Taiwan's humanitarian spirit of "regarding the suffering of others as one's own." Sharing its achievements in health care with the world, acquiring the latest international medical information, protecting the health of every human being, and promoting basic human rights are fundamental beliefs of the Taiwan medical community. Therefore, Taiwan should not be excluded from the WHO, breaking an important link in the global disease monitoring network.
Taiwan is dedicated to improving world health, sharing its democratic achievements, and extending humanitarian aid to other countries. Taiwan's participation in the WHO will be an essential step in realizing universal human rights for the cause of world peace and security.
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| A portion of the Shihkang Dam in central Taiwan collapsed during the 7.3-magnitude temblor that struck the island on September 21, 1999. (Photo by Yeh Ming-yuan) |
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