For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – January 10, 2025
Contact: 202-600-6819

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FAPA Mourns the Passing of Former U.S. Congressman Jim Leach, Honoring His Contributions to Taiwan’s Democracy and Human Rights

The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) mourns the passing of former U.S. Congressman Jim Leach (R-IA), who passed away one month ago on December 11, 2024. Serving in the U.S. Congress from 1977 to 2007, Congressman Leach is fondly remembered by FAPA for his pivotal contributions to advancing Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, and human rights.

In 1979, Congressman Leach coauthored the Taiwan Relations Act’s (TRA) human rights clause, affirming the “preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan” as “objectives of the United States.” This clause became a key legal basis for Congress to advocate for human rights in Taiwan and criticize the Kuomintang’s (KMT) authoritarian one-party rule throughout the 1980s.

In the 1980s, Congressman Leach, alongside Congressman Stephen Solarz (D-NY) and Senators Claiborne Pell (D-RI) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) ― known as the “Gang of Four” ― met with FAPA members and listened to their concerns about the KMT regime’s authoritarian rule and political repression of Taiwanese political dissidents and the human rights suppression in Taiwan. Working with FAPA, these four Members of Congress introduced resolutions, initiated hearings, wrote letters, and issued statements, pressing for the abolition of martial law and the implementation of democratic reforms in Taiwan.

Congressman Leach played a key role after the Kaohsiung Incident of December 1979, during which the KMT regime violently suppressed tens of thousands of protestors and imprisoned opposition leaders. During U.S. Congressional hearings in February 1980, Leach warned that harsh sentences of democracy activists and political prisoners would result in “profound consequences for the future stability of Taiwan and for U.S.-Taiwan relations.” His efforts through various channels eventually helped reduce sentences for the “Kaohsiung Eight” human rights activists and political prisoners.

In the following years, Congressman Leach and the other members of the “Gang of Four” drew international attention to the political murders orchestrated by the KMT regime. Among these were the 1980 killings of democracy activist Lin Yi-Hsiung’s family, a targeted attack on Taiwan’s opposition movement; the 1981 suspicious death of Professor Chen Wen-Chen, a prominent overseas advocate for Taiwanese independence; and the 1984 assassination of writer Henry Liu, whose critical biography of Chiang Ching-kuo exposed the regime’s corruption. These cases highlighted the KMT’s ruthless suppression of dissent and galvanized calls for justice, the abolition of martial law, and democratic reforms in Taiwan. Through public statements and sustained pressure, they intensified international demands for these changes.

On May 20, 1986, marking the 37th anniversary of martial law in Taiwan, the U.S. Congress established the “Committee for Democracy on Taiwan,” a milestone achieved through the advocacy of FAPA. Co-chaired by Congressmen Jim Leach and Stephen Solarz, with Senators Edward Kennedy and Claiborne Pell as honorary co-chairs, the committee was dedicated to supporting the Taiwanese people’s pursuit of human rights, freedom, and democracy during a critical time in their struggle against authoritarian rule.

With increasing pressure from the U.S. Congress, martial law in Taiwan was eventually lifted on July 15, 1987. Even after Taiwan’s democratization in the 1990s, Congressman Leach remained a steadfast champion of Taiwan, maintaining close ties with Taiwan’s democratically elected leaders, including Presidents Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian. His attendance at Chen’s second inauguration in 2004 underscored his enduring commitment to supporting the Taiwanese people’s struggle for human rights, freedom, and democracy.

FAPA President Dr. Su-Mei Kao states: “We deeply mourn the passing of Congressman Jim Leach, a true champion of Taiwan’s freedom. His unwavering dedication to democracy and human rights not only strengthened Taiwan’s resolve but also inspired countless advocates around the globe. Taiwan stands freer and more democratic today because of his tireless efforts. His legacy will endure, even as his presence is profoundly missed.”