Statement by THRAC Executive, December 15, 2012

The Taiwanese Human Rights Association of Canada wishes to express our support and admiration for students in Taiwan who are leading the fight against media monopoly by a pro-China ownership group. We call on regulators in Taiwan to reject this takeover by Tsai Eng-meng's cartel. The domination of Taiwan's media by a pro-Chinese ownership has frightening implications for the future of Taiwan and should be of grave concern to all supporters of freedom of speech. THRAC is following the situation and is willing to respond to any specific calls to action.


最近台灣學生出來領導「反對親中財團壟斷媒體」抗爭行動，對此加拿大台灣人權協會要表達支持與欽佩之意。我們呼籲台灣監管機關否決這次由蔡衍明主控的集團的收購案。台灣媒體如果受到親中財團的控制，台灣的未來將會有非常可怕的陰影，所有愛言論自由的人應該關切。加拿大台灣人權協會繼續關注此案的發展，若必須採取任何具體行動，我們願意配合。

Executive of the Taiwanese Human Rights Association of Canada (THRAC)
加拿大台灣人權協會全體委員

Michael Stainton
N.L.
So Cheng-hian
Austin Yan
Nick Chen
Scott Simon

THRAC receives reply on October appeal asking MP's to show concern for Chen Shui-bian

Mark Adler, Conservative MP for York Centre (Michael Stainton's riding) has sent a more or less "official line" reply to our appeal for Canadian MP's to speak out on Chen Shui-bian's imprisonment. The letter appears to reflect the official DFAIT position - we are watching the situation -  so is of interest. It is disappointing that, to our knowledge, and in contrast to several American congressmen, not a single Canadian MP of the almost 30 MP's and Senators THRAC contacted, actually wrote a letter as we urged."
2012-11-29 Medical Parole ROC President Correspondence

THRAC supports global appeal for Tibet

THRAC has added its name as a co-signer of a letter of appeal to world leaders calling for them to take action on the growing crisis in Tibet. The appeal was  proposed by Sheng Xue, President of the Federation for a Democratic China, a global alliance of Chinese pro-democracy organisations, in solidarity with Tibetans. The appeal will be sent to the United Nations, the European Union, Members of Parliaments and Governments, and NGOs for human rights, calling on the international community, as well as individual countries and NGOs, to send independent investigation teams to Tibet, to investigate the cause of self-immolations in Tibet, and the true situation in Tibet. THRAC will assist in sending a version of this letter to Canadian members of parliament and senators. Two links to Tibetan news services have been added to our links on the right-hand side of this page.
Tibet Appeal