Hi,
My name is Ian Chen from Association of Taiwan Journalists (ATJ) in Taiwan. In the wake of WHA's refusal of accreditation to journalists from Taiwan, we and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have each issued a statement. I have enclosed them both following this message to bring this incident to your attention.
Because assaults of this sort against Taiwan have been ongoing for decades, and they're becoming quite boring therefore dangerously boring.
Over a decade, Taiwan has been the country offering one of the freest environments to expression in Asia. However, while we are free at home, we are constantly under attack by China's repression oversea. It's been going on for a long time and, like I said, it's getting boring, and dangerous. Because then it'll be demoralising and people may finally give up.
We can't afford to let it become a 'norm.' We need new voices in this narrative. This is my invitation to you. Here are some questions that I think if asked upon UN it will benefit everyone:
It appears that under one-China policy, UN rejected the two journalists' application because their nationality is Taiwan. If UN didn't deny, UN'd then verify that statement is true, which means UN denied access to reporting by nationality. In that case, they should come out and say so. But they didn't. Also, we have another problem.
Regarding press accreditation, UNOG said on its website: 'Valid ID must include a current passport from a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly...' (https://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpPages)/C302D5CB6CEF2792C1256F25005CE437?OpenDocument)
That means UNOG decided that only those people who come from some certain countries should be allowed to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression. Those who don't shouldn't. In other words, UNOG effectively ruled the right to freedom of opinion and expression does not apply to everyone. But, Universal Declaration of Human Rights disagreed and said in Article 19 that it is for everyone:
'Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.'
(http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/)
Clearly, WHA followed UNOG's regulation, not that of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. My question is: 'is it because UN also decided that UNOG's regulation or one-China policy has precedence over Universal Declaration of Human Rights?'
I am not asking for a political pledge or anything to show right off. What I'm asking for is your kind consideration on this subject and hope you'll find it a subject worth some coverage or discussion with your audience.
If you need more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Ian Chen
General Secretary, Association of Taiwan Journalists/台灣新聞記者協會秘書長