APRIL 2012

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP wins Lugang Township mayoral byelections

On April 28th, the DPP won 71% of the vote in the mayoral by-election in Lugang Township in Changhua County. The DPP representative in the by-election, Mr. Huang Chen-yen, gained a resounding victory after the people of Lugang County used their votes to express the current dissatisfaction with the KMT Administration. DPP Acting Chair Chen Chu said that this byelection represented a victory for the people of Lugang Township as well as a vote of noconfidence to President Ma Ying-jeou. She said that since the presidential election in January, the Ma Administration has made a series of political mistakes and they have also issued many failed policies. She cited the example of the controversial opening of importation for meat containing ractopamine, the cover-up of bird flu incidents, the issuance of one country two areas and the sudden hikes in oil and electricity prices as examples. The people of Lugang Township used the most direct form of action to express the current sentiPAGE 1

 ments of the people in Taiwan, said Acting Chair Chen Chu. They also gave the strongest warning to the current government, and we appeal to the Ma Administration to see and listen to the peoples displeasure. Acting Chair Chen noted that the Lugang Township by-election victory was gained with limited resources by the DPP, but with a clear vision, a willingness to fight and show sincerity, the

APRIL 2012 DPP was able to garner the publics identification and support. She also gave her deepest gratitude to the people of Lugang Township for their support of the DPP, and she congratulated Mr. Huang, wishing him well in his new responsibility as township mayor.

President Ma Administrations rst human rights report distorts real facts, shows no concrete actions
The President Ma Ying-jeou Administration released its first human rights report since taking over the presidency four years ago. In response to the contents of the report, DPP Spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien held a press conference on April 20 to cite examples showing that Taiwans human rights have in fact regressed. Spokesperson Lin said that since the administration of President Ma has taken over the presidency, there has been a human rights regression in Taiwan. He said that during the DPP administration, press freedom improved from worlds 35th to 32nd. Every year after the 2008 transfer of power, press freedom in Taiwan fell from the ranking of 43rd to 48th, he said. The fall in press freedom ranking for Taiwan should have already raised a red flag for President Mas Administration, however, no concrete actions has been taken to tackle this problem. In fact, press freedom has become even more restrained. If the NCC approves the media buyout of China Network Service (CNS), press freedom will take a even further step back because it would create a conglomeration of media services and limit the viewing choices for the public. In regards to freedom of expression, Spokesperson Lin said that the Taiwanese public has made several attempts to express their dissatis faction to the government. More specifically, the recent rise in gas and electricity prices. However, the government has imposed more limits on permits to hold rallies such as the 519 rally planned by the DPP, where the government has placed greater boundaries over the protest zones compared to the inauguration four years ago. In President Ma Administrations first human rights report, he also mentioned the concern for human rights in China. Spokesperson Lin said that it was very ironic to include human rights in China because President Ma and his team has not once mentioned the issue of human rights in any cross strait negotiation. Also not once since taking over the presidency, Spokesperson Lin said, has President Ma met with China human rights dissidents, such as Wang Dan, who resides in Taiwan. President Ma Administrations first human rights report lacks the substance it needs to give an accurate picture of the human rights situation in Taiwan. There has been no improvement of judicial reform, and no specific actions mentioned by the government to tackle the improvement of human rights. President Ma Administrations human rights report distorts the real facts and shows no concrete actions by the government for the future. PAGE 2

APRIL 2012

DPP Central Standing Committee issues statement regarding media buyout

The DPP continues to persist on the belief of freedom of expression for the Taiwanese people. Responding to the recent review by the National Communications Commission (NCC) over the possible acquisition of China Network Service (CNS) by the Want Want China Times Group, the DPP opposes any conglomeration of media services that would limit freedom of expression in Taiwan. The NT$76 billion merger would affect the interests of 1.18 million households, which accounts for almost a quarter of TV households in Taiwan. If the NCC rushes through the review of the acquisition, it would cause serious issues of media monopoly and pose a threat to Taiwans freedom of speech as well as the viewing quality of television. For this reason, the DPP strongly urges the NCC to uphold its professional conscience and dismiss the applications of this merger. The DPP held a Central Standing Committee on April 25th to discuss the issue of the possible buyout by the Want Want China Times Group of the media group China Network System (CNS). The following are the DPP standpoints regarding this issue: In regards to the massive group Want Want China Times Groups desire to buy CNS, the DPP believes that once the National Communications Commission (NCC) approves this proposal, there will be a monopoly of media services, and this would seriously affect freedom of expression in Taiwan. The DPP wishes to express its solemn condemnation to the proposal, at the same time making an appeal to the administration of President Ma Yingjeou to: (1) not escape responsibility, (2) not sit back and watch conglomerates take possession of media resources and (3) stop hindering the development of civic society. PAGE 3 The DPP strongly emphasizes that President Ma should return the media to the people. The media not only provides entertainment and information, but it also more vigorously shapes the publics views to various issues. Additionally, the media has the power to exercise moderate supervision over political affairs, but alternatively, the media may also be used for political manipulation and improper interests. The DPP and the DPP Legislative Caucus have already held meetings and issued a report regarding this issue, including passing a resolution opposing the monopoly of media services and improper influencing, and appealing the NCC to exercise it strictest supervision. The DPP will continue to pay attention to this issue, persisting in siding with the Taiwanese people and making appeals to President Ma. The Ma Administration must do its utmost to protect the peoples interest and ensure freedom of expression. They must also allow for the media to play its role as the fourth power, preventing for the monopoly of media services and allowing the public to have more dignified choices in public information.

APRIL 2012

DPP issues statement congratulating Burmas NLD, Aung San Suu Kyi for success in recent elections
The DPP issued a statement congratulating the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for their recent success in the Burmese by-elections of April 1st. The DPP and NLD are both members of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and Liberal International (LI), where both have held close exchanges on democracy, human rights and political party organization. Just last year, a DPP delegation was able to pay a visit to the NLD Party Headquarters in Rangoon, Burma. The DPP delegation also was able to visit Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence. Aung San Suu Kyi has championed the values of liberty, human rights and democracy for her country of Burma, values shared by the DPP. For the recently by-elections held in Burma, the DPP expresses its admiration for Aung San Suu Kyi and congratulates the NLD for their hard efforts carried out throughout these elections. The DPP hopes that these by-elections is not just an improvement of democracy for Burma, but also for the rest of Asia. The DPP hopes that in the future, other countries in Asia may also follow this example in allowing the people to exercise democratic participation. The DPP will continue maintaining a close contact with Aung San Suu Kyi through its alliance with the NLD, hoping to establish deeper channels of communication and hold close exchanges regarding the issues of democracy, human rights and freedom.

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APRIL 2012

DPP delegation visits Japan to hold exchange, understand reconstruction policies

A delegation of DPP senior officials departed to Japan on April 22nd, Earth Day, to conduct exchanges with officials from Japanese political parties and to learn about the aftermath reconstruction of the areas hit by Japans tsunami disaster last year. Additionally, the DPP delegation also paid visits to activists involved in Japans nuclear-free movement. Head of the delegation, DPP Spokesperson Lin You-chang said that the purpose for this times visit to Japan includes conducting political party-to-party exchanges and to understand each others political and foreign policies. He reported that the DPP delegation paid visits to council and parliamentary members from the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan, among others. He said that the delegation was able to gain deeper understanding of issues such as party policy, election campaigning and political participation. DPP Spokesperson Lin further said that the DPP has developed a basic goal of achieving a nuclear-free environment for Taiwan. He also mentioned that there has been a good relationship between the DPP and various political organizations in Japan, and the DPP hopes to continue promoting these exchanges in the future.

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

PUBLISHED BY: Department of International Aairs Democratic Progressive Party 9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Road, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306 Fax: 886-2-2393-0342 Email: foreign@dpp.org.tw Website: http://www.dpp.org.tw

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