Upholding Human Rights, Supporting Hong Kong, Protecting Democracy: Taiwan NGOs Form Human Letters to Support Hong Kong

Photo／Director Chou Shih-lun

On September 17, 2017, Taiwan NGOs gathered at the Central Art Park to shout "Freedom is not a crime, democracy is not a crime," forming the human letters "China Free Li" to demand that China release Li Ming-che without charge. Two years later, we have returned to this place, gathering over 300 citizens to form the English phrase "Free Hong Kong" through human body formation, incorporating the "Raincoat Man" symbol mourning Hong Kong martyr Leung Ling-kit and the map of Taiwan to express Taiwanese society's full support for the people of Hong Kong in their pursuit of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. From Li Ming-che to the Raincoat Man, the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong have fought on wave after wave, fearless and unafraid.

"Hong Kong Human Rights Watch in Taiwan" was initiated by Taiwan NGOs. Member organizations include Hong Kong Human Rights Watch in Taiwan, Hong Kong Outlanders, Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy, Taiwan Association for Human Rights, Taiwan Citizen Front, Economic Democracy Union, Judicial Reform Foundation, Covenants Watch, Tsai Jui-yueh Dance Research Institute, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, Dr. Chen Wen-chen Memorial Foundation, Cheng Nan-jung Foundation, Green Citizens' Action Alliance (note: Green Platform translated conceptually or left as Green Party Taiwan contextually, using Green Platform here), Tool Youth Front, Tibet Human Rights Network, Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty, Taiwan Support Group for Penal Detention, Taiwan Forever Association, and CitizenBee. Starting from August 4, we have held the [Upholding Human Rights | Supporting Hong Kong | Protecting Democracy: Taiwan Action Series in Support of Hong Kong Democracy]. Below are the statements made by NGO and gender group representatives regarding today's human formation event.

Ch'iu I-ling, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, stated that the Hong Kong police have continuously used violence that violates the "principle of proportionality" to disperse crowds at on-site assemblies and demonstrations, and have even arbitrarily arrested passersby who were shopping. This violates not only the Hong Kong Basic Law but also the international human rights conventions that Hong Kong has signed and ratified. Using strong lights to block journalists from filming during interviews also infringes upon freedom of the press. Treating female protesters with crude sexual humiliation violates the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The mass arrests and prosecutions of minors likely also violate the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Furthermore, over the past few days, Taiwan's bubble tea shops have successively declared support for "one country, two systems" or claimed to be from "China, Taiwan," demonstrating that in this wave of protests by the people of Hong Kong, Taiwan cannot remain aloof. We must recognize the reality and harbor no more illusions about any proposals put forward by China.

Tseng Chao-yuan, Senior Researcher at Awakening Foundation, mentioned that in the early hours of August 5, on the eve of the city-wide "three strikes" (strike, market closure, and class boycott) action, a female Hong Kong protester wearing a long skirt was forcibly carried away by more than five male police officers in Tin Shui Wai. Her legs were spread and lifted, and her skirt and underwear were pulled off along with the motion, causing her to be exposed. Even though the woman repeatedly shouted that she wanted a female police officer and wanted to get up and walk by herself, the police ignored her. Women have autonomy over their own bodies; neither the police nor anonymous netizens should violate it. Here, we call on the Taiwanese public to care about and support Hong Kong, and to condemn the Hong Kong government's abuse of police violence, especially the imperative to halt all despicable acts of humiliating female protesters. These acts of violence and sexual humiliation cannot suppress the people's aspirations for democracy, freedom, and human rights; they will only further fuel public grievances. There are no rioters, only tyranny.

Ch'in Ting-fang, Board Member of the Taiwan Association for Feminist Studies, stated that during the anti-extradition bill movement, we witnessed the Hong Kong government repeatedly condoning police abuse of power. The Tin Shui Wai incident further exposed that women participating in demonstrations must face, in addition to armed suppression, sexual humiliation generated by gender discrimination and misogynistic culture. For women, police violence is often not merely the restriction of personal freedom and the physical tugging, pulling, and beating of their bodies, but also includes the violation and insult of female bodies. The police attempt to make women's clothing, bodies, gender, and sexuality sources of shame, thereby silencing and subduing them. We believe that those who should feel ashamed are not the female protesters joining the anti-extradition movement, but the Hong Kong police officers who enforce violent suppression and sexual humiliation. The Feminist Studies Association chooses to stand with the female protesters of Hong Kong and jointly condemns the abusive Hong Kong police.

Weng Li-shu, a teacher from the Association for Gender Education in Taiwan, expressed that throughout history, bullying women has never been a new trick. Women have been disciplined to be well-behaved, submissive, and obedient, taught the three obediences and four virtues, and bound with foot-bindings. Then witches are burned and sluts beaten as a warning to others... The blood of fear has long flowed in our veins, reminding us to be cautious at the slightest sign of disobedience... Fortunately, our world reflects, our society progresses, and women gradually have the opportunity to stand up, speak their own words, and realize their dreams. Within such a historical context, how precious it is for women to protest on the streets for the world in which they survive, but at the same time, how glaring it is to those in power who are filled with patriarchal violence. During Taiwan's 318 Sunflower Student Movement, many women participating in the movement were photographed and discussed on television programs—all of which were infuriating acts of gender violence. Let alone the sexual violence committed by the Hong Kong police against women at protest sites; that is not only physical brutality, but direct violence of high intensity through bodily humiliation. Such methods demonstrate the extreme lack of civilization, overbearing nature, barbarism, and disgust of this regime... We strongly condemn this action and hope the Hong Kong government can also reflect on how it treats its own citizens.

The Association for Gender Education in Taiwan long advocates for equality in gender education, and supports the equal treatment of all ethnic groups with the same logic. We hope that Taiwan can attain a dignified position internationally, and similarly hope that Hong Kong can find a future of freedom and democracy. The solidarity of the people of Hong Kong in resisting tyranny is admirable and serves as a crucial subject for the people of Taiwan to reflect upon and contemplate regarding Taiwan's future. Finally, I want to say that the body is political, and every form of attire and appearance on the body can be a form of resistance. Some say—one should not wear skirts in street protests, or that expressing demands should be done while being impeccably dressed, humble, polite, and decorous... I hope those with such thoughts can think further: who is the subject of the demand? Why must the body, when becoming the subject of street protest, still accept mainstream disciplining?! I believe women in any attire can take to the streets to express their opinions, and the people's opinions should be carefully listened to and not maliciously distorted! Please let the Hong Kong police reflect and apologize for this incident, and please let the Hong Kong police squarely face their duty: whether to protect the people or to act as accomplices to tyranny!

Kuma, spokesperson for Hong Kong Outlanders, stated that the Hong Kong government's claim that the "three strikes" action "destroys the economy" is an attempt to divide Hong Kong citizens, because a truly stable economy must be built upon a society of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. If Hong Kong loses the foundation of the rule of law, no matter how much property Hong Kong people possess, it could vanish overnight. Hong Kong Outlanders firmly supports every Hongkonger participating in the three strikes, using practical action to voice out against a distorted social order. We can miss a day of work or skip a meal, but Hong Kong's sinking will be irreversible. Outlanders also strongly condemns the police for openly violating the bodily autonomy of female protesters during arrests on August 5, which shows that the problem of abusing police power is extremely serious and police violence is out of control. As Hongkongers in Taiwan, Outlanders believes that the root of the problem lies in the fact that Hong Kong's rule of law and democratic system have been infringed upon. Ineffective government governance and out-of-control police violence are difficult to correct through internal institutional channels, ultimately driving the people of Hong Kong to take to the streets day and night to continue pursuing a democratic and free social system.

Lü T'ien-hsin, a representative of the International Affairs Delegation of Hong Kong Tertiary Institutions, expressed heartfelt gratitude as a Hongkonger for the constant concern and assistance shown by Taiwanese friends toward Hong Kong's current situation. Hongkongers deeply feel what it means that "a virtuous person is never lonely; they will always have neighbors." The anti-extradition bill movement not only reveals excessive police power, collusion between officials, police, and triads, and Chief Executive Carrie Lam's disregard for public opinion in willful persistence, but also systemic violence. When we shout out in despair, many of our fellow travelers have already been arrested, politically prosecuted, or even sacrificed their lives. The events of these past two months cannot but fill one with grief and indignation. We believe that Taiwan, situated across the strait, has also witnessed how Hong Kong's democracy and freedom have been gradually eroded over the 28 years since the handover: directly elected lawmakers are disqualified by the government, booksellers are kidnapped, social activists are arrested and imprisoned, genuine universal suffrage remains a distant prospect, and hanging over the heads of Hongkongers is still Beijing's puppet Chief Executive. We reiterate that the demands of Hongkongers have never changed:

1. Withdraw the "extradition bill";
2. Rescind the characterization of the protests as "riots";
3. Drop all charges against protesters;
4. Establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate and hold accountable police abuses of power;
5. Implement true dual universal suffrage for the Legislative Council and the Chief Executive.

What Hong Kong and Taiwan jointly pursue are human rights, democracy, and universal values across the world. Taiwan, as Hong Kong's neighbor and a free realm in the Chinese-speaking world—to protect our homeland and the next generation, we thank Taiwan for walking side by side with the people of Hong Kong, allowing us all to live in a free world. Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times! Thank you.

Wu I-jou, Board Member of the Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy, stated that since June, anti-extradition protests in Hong Kong have seen assemblies and marches continue unabated, with large-scale strikes recently, all demonstrating the dissatisfaction of the Hong Kong people with the Hong Kong government's initial attempt to pass the extradition bill. In response to this situation, however, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has continuously evaded and avoided responding to the five major demands raised by Hong Kong civil society. Furthermore, police have violently and unreasonably suppressed the people using tear gas, rubber bullets, and other methods, while men in white shirts took to the streets to beat protesting citizens without the Hong Kong police stepping in to handle it immediately. Even more absurdly, Hong Kong Baptist University Student Union President Fang Chung-hsien was recently arrested by police for possessing an offensive weapon simply because he was carrying an astronomical telescope pointer. In response to this situation, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China's State Council recently addressed why many Hong Kong youth took to the streets, claiming that Hong Kong students lack learning in patriotism and love for the country within schools, and arguing that family and school education should strengthen patriotic education among Hong Kong youth. Addressing this response, Wu I-jou believes the Chinese government ignores the Hong Kong people's insistence on a democratic and free system, ignores the autonomy of young students' independent thinking, and completely disregards the collective anxiety of Hong Kong youth that "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong exists in name only.

Hung Ching-ya, Researcher at Covenants Watch, stated that young Taiwanese and Hongkongers who grow up in a democratic and free environment are different from citizens in China who lack civil liberties; they cannot understand why human life can be trampled upon like this, nor would they want a government that oppresses the people in this way. She called on the Chinese government to stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs and fulfill its commitment to respect Hong Kong's rule of law, and demanded that Carrie Lam's administration squarely face the five major demands of the Hong Kong people and provide responses and policy justifications for each point. At the same time, she urged the general public to cherish Taiwan's hard-won rights of assembly and association, and to continue paying attention to developments in Hong Kong.

Hsiao I-min, Office Director of the Judicial Reform Foundation, stated how terrifying the loss of public trust in the judiciary is: the roaring anger of millions of Hongkongers against the "Fugitive Offenders Ordinance" amendment is the sum total of fear. The value of the rule of law lies in the judiciary's ability to impartially and independently exclude state abuse of power and violence. However, under the encroachment of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong society has found that the judiciary has become a tool to oppress the people rather than a guardian of fairness and justice. In Taiwan, the indictment of state violence has been relentless; on the 19th of last month, defense lawyer You Po-hsiang, convener of the anti-black-box CSSTA volunteer legal team, pointed out in his closing argument: "Taiwan's democracy and freedom face various overt and covert threats from outside our borders, placing us in an exceptionally dangerous situation that urgently calls for collective defense by the people. The merits and faults of the Sunflower Movement may receive a more objective and correct evaluation by future generations than today, but this was a mass movement spontaneously participated in by numerous citizens to defend Taiwan's democracy, and it undoubtedly inspired Hong Kong's anti-extradition movement. If the courts continue to send a message to the police that they can freely disperse crowds without worrying about individual accountability, and if citizens still need to fear being harmed by state violence when taking to the streets, then when Taiwan next needs its citizens to take to the streets to defend the democratic and constitutional order of freedom, will we still be able to have another Sunflower Movement?" There are no rioters, only tyranny; supporting Hong Kong is defending Taiwan. The people of Taiwan and Hong Kong will unite to show the world our unshakeable determination to triumph in the pursuit of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law!

Time

August 11, 2019 (Sunday) 15:00-17:00

Schedule

13:00-15:00 Rope marking and venue setup
15:00-15:30 Short speeches and check-in
15:30-16:00 Photographers take positions
16:00-16:15 Photography
16:15-17:00 Venue restoration

Location

Central Art Park (Huashan Grassland, lawn directly opposite No. 30, Peiping E. Rd., Taipei City)

Attendees

Host Ch'iu I-ling, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights

Short Speech Speakers
Hung Ching-ya / Covenants Watch
Hsiao I-min / Office Director, Judicial Reform Foundation
Ch'in Ting-fang / Board Member, Taiwan Association for Feminist Studies
Weng Li-shu / Association for Gender Education in Taiwan
Tseng Chao-yuan / Senior Researcher, Awakening Foundation
Kuma / Spokesperson, Hong Kong Outlanders
Lü T'ien-hsin / Representative, International Affairs Delegation of Hong Kong Tertiary Institutions
Wu I-jou / Board Member, Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy

Organizers

Hong Kong Human Rights Watch in Taiwan
Hong Kong Outlanders
Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy
Taiwan Association for Human Rights
Taiwan Citizen Front
Economic Democracy Union
Judicial Reform Foundation
Covenants Watch
Tsai Jui-yueh Dance Research Institute
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
Dr. Chen Wen-chen Memorial Foundation
Cheng Nan-jung Foundation
Green Platform
Tool Youth Front
Tibet Human Rights Network
Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty
Taiwan Support Group for Penal Detention
Taiwan Forever Association
CitizenBee