For Immediate Release
Washington DC – April 2, 2020
Contact: (202) 547-3686
Joint Letter to WHO by Three Taiwanese-American Organizations
On April 2, 2020, three Taiwanese-American organizations, the North American Taiwanese Medical Association (NATMA), the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), and the North America Taiwanese Professors’ Association (NATPA) issued a joint letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to their earlier statement on Taiwan’s participation dated March 29.
In the joint letter, the three organizations rebuked WHO’s claim that “the question of Taiwanese membership in WHO is up to WHO Member States, not WHO staff.” They argued that it is the WHO Secretariat that has been playing a decisive role in excluding Taiwan’s participation. Their manipulation of meeting agenda regarding Taiwan’s participation during past annual Assembly precludes the decisions by Member States and a transparent democratic process.
The three organizations further asserted that the human rights of the people of Taiwan is not a matter to be determined or voted by the WHO Secretariat nor the Member States, for its violation against the WHO’s Constitution and the idea of “health for all.” It is also in the interests of the international community to embrace Taiwan, a country to give more than to receive. The island nation’s expertise and passion are indispensable to global health.
FAPA President Dr. Minze Chien states: “The joint letter with NATMA and NATPA shows Taiwanese Americans’ solidarity with the people of Taiwan. When the Congress is back in session, FAPA will do its utmost to help pass S.249, a bill to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain Taiwan’s observer status in the WHO. We will also continue to advocate for the ultimate goal of Taiwan’s full membership in the global health body.”
台美人社團聯合致函世界衛生組織
北美洲台灣人醫師協會、台灣人公共事務會以及北美洲台灣人教授協會於四月二日聯名去函世界衛生組織，回應世衛官方三月二十九日有關台灣之聲明。
台美人社團於信中反駁世衛官方「台灣於世界衛生組織的會員身份由成員國決定，而非世衛工作人員」之說法。世衛秘書處藉由控制大會議程，在排除台灣參與的過程中長期扮演關鍵角色。這個做法規避全體世衛會員國的決議以及透明的民主程序。
台美人社團更強調，台灣人民的人權不應交由世衛秘書處或成員國恣意決定。此違反了世衛官方的宗旨及其Health for All的理想。同時，台灣的參與亦符合國際社會的利益。台灣的專業以及熱情對全球公共衛生領域不可或缺。
台灣人公共事務會會長簡明子博士對此聯名函表示：「這次與北美洲台灣人醫師協會和北美洲台灣人教授協會的合作彰顯了台美人社群對台灣人民的支持。FAPA將在美國國會開議後全力推動參院第249號法案，要求美國國務卿擬定策略替台灣爭取世衛觀察員身份。同時，我們也會持續推動台灣成為完整世衛會員國的最終目標。」
