Urgent Resolution
Whereas, in the matter of the arrest and detention of Chinese mainland democracy activist Wang Bingzhang, a consensus of this Legislature should be decided upon, calling on international society to express concern for the fundamental human rights of all Chinese mainland dissidents including Wang Bingzhang. The resolution should be set for determination by this body.
Further noting:
Firstly, Dr. Bingzhang Wang is a renowned Chinese dissident, and founder of both the China Spring magazine and the Chinese Alliance for Democracy, since his disappearance in June of 2002, it was later ascertained that he had been taken into custody by the Communist Chinese authorities, and then sentenced to a term of life imprisonment.
Secondly, This matter has been graciously brought to the attention of this Legislature with a request for favorable consideration and a resolution in furtherance thereof, through the efforts of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy on behalf of Mr. Timothy Cooper, the Executive Director of the Washington, D.C. based human rights organization Worldrights.
Thirdly, the matter of Dr. Bingzhang Wang's circumstances have already merited much international concern including:
Firstly, A formal decision numbered 10/2003 of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions in May of 2003, pronouncing the arrest and judgment of Wang Bingzhang, to have been in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with respect to fundamental human rights and in violation of the principles requiring fair, impartial, and independent judiciaries.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Madame Louise Arbour, personally pledged her intervention in the case; the UN Special Rapporteur for Anti-Torture Matters, and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN for the Protection of Human Rights, both have expressed their urgent concerns for the matter of the release of Wang Bingzhang.
Amnesty International has issued emergency concern letters to the world community, expressing concern for the medical condition of Wang Bingzhang under detention.
The United States House of Representatives resolved on May 6, 2004, House Resolution 326, calling for the immediate release of Dr. Bingzhang Wang.
41 members of The British House of Commons on November 11, 2004, passed a resolution requesting that the Chinese government immediately release Dr. Bingzhang Wang.
The Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee of the Parliament of Canada passed a resolution on November 6, 2003, requesting that the Chinese government immediately release Dr. Bingzhang Wang.
Fourthly, In accordance with the regulations of Article Ten of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him" reflecting universally held values, which should not be subject to any form of adverse restriction anywhere. Thus it is recommended that, this Legislature should enact a formal resolution, calling on the international community to express concern for the fundamental human rights of all Chinese mainland dissidents including Dr. Bingzhang Wang, so that each may enjoy the proper repose of their just rights, in furtherance of the spirit of the primacy of human rights in the foundational ideals of this nation.
Resolution introduced by: Representative Kao Su-Po