[3173] Pastors protest and raise awareness on politically motivated imprisonment

Pastors protest and raise awareness on politically motivated imprisonment

Reported by Lin Yi-ying

Written by Lydia Ma

The prayer and protest rally spearheaded by Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan and Justice Action Church on Ketagalan Boulevard that began on December 9 continued until 2:00 am on December 12, when protesters were expelled by force from Ketagalan Boulevard by police officers. During this expulsion, various church leaders, including PCT Associate General Secretary, Lyim Hong-tiong, who were inside a makeshift prison cage, were forced out as well. However, similar rallies will likely continue to be held sporadically in the future as one major theme of the rally is to support a medical parole for the ailing former President Chen Shui-bian.

During the few days that the protest took place, the weather was cold and rainy. But despite the worsening weather, people who came forward to take part in the rally increased as the days went by. This outpouring of support is partly because many people are convinced that the Ma administration had interfered with the trial proceedings involving Chen, resulting in unfair trials riddled with irregularities. People were further angered that the Department of Justice (DOJ) purposely concealed information about Chen’s deteriorating health, and suspect that the DOJ delayed medical treatment for the former President. In short, these people were coming forward in protest at Ketagalan Boulevard because of their concern for the basic human rights of former President Chen.

To highlight that this was indeed a case of judicial persecution, Lyim, Taipei City Councilor Tung Chung-yen, Justice Action Church representative Chang Ming-you, and representatives from other organizations locked themselves inside a makeshift prison cage. They hoped to use this non-violent means to convey the extent in which Chen’s continual imprisonment was politically motivated. Lyim underscored that though President Ma told reporters many times that he had never interfered with judicial proceedings against Chen, the President was nevertheless quoted as saying that releasing Chen on the grounds of medical parole would be tantamount to releasing him for good. Such words have put into question whether judges were truly independent when they examined Chen’s case in the first place.

As for the support PCT pastors have shown toward Prof. Tsai Ting-kuei and his non-violent protests, Lyim underscored that such responses were in line with the church’s statement of faith, which includes concern for the land and people of Taiwan.

Many PCT pastors and elders were present at the time police officers tried to expel protesters and they helped calm the crowd and ensured that violence would not break out. They were also careful to monitor that police officers did not do anything illegal in the way they dispersed the crowd.

Just before police officers came to evict the crowd from Ketagalan Boulevard, Justice Action Church pastor, Rev. Cheng Kuo-chung urged the people to stay calm and not resist the police officers. He reminded them that the one they were fighting against wasn’t those officers who were carrying out orders, but rather, the unjust government authority that ordered their removal and the end of the rally.

Associate General Secretary Lyim Hong-tiong and representatives from other organizations stand behind

a makeshift prison cage to protest politically motivated imprisonment.   Photo by Lin Yi-ying