Congressman Robert Andrews Urges Colleagues To Support Medical Parole For Chen Resolution

On September 20, 2013 Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) sent a so-called “Dear Colleague” letter to all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to co-sponsor HCR46 that concludes that: “Congress urges the Government of Taiwan to grant former President Chen Shui-bian medical parole to ensure that he receives the highest level of medical attention, effective immediately.”

HCR46 was introduced by Rep. Andrews on July 30, 2013,

The “Dear Colleague” letter titled: “Granting Former President Chen of Taiwan Medical Parole” reads: “Mr. Chen has languished in jail since December 2008 on corruption charges that Taiwan observers claim are politically motivated. Because of Mr. Chen’s present poor physical and mental health, it is time that the former President is granted medical parole on humanitarian grounds so he can receive the treatment he needs.”

It quotes from the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act: “The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people of Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States.”

It continues: “The fact that a former head of state is treated in such a deplorable manner is clearly in violation of the values of democracy and human rights that we as a nation hold high. Congress cannot be silent when we believe these standards are not being met.”

It concludes: “Mr. Chen should be allowed to pick a care provider of his own choice and the process of granting medical parole needs to start right away. In Taiwan, the judicial system allows for medical parole and it is time for the government to allow Mr. Chen this right.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D. states: “The treatment of former President Chen is a clear violation of human rights. Any prisoner in a democracy should be allowed full access to adequate medical resources in order to treat physical conditions; let alone a former head of state.”

Dr. Kao continues: “Taiwanese Americans are disturbed about the way the Ma government treats Chen. It is a disgrace that a former president is deprived of his basic human rights. We therefore urge the Ma government to also recognize the damage Chen’s treatment continues to cause towards Taiwan’s international image and grant President Chen full medical parole immediately.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “Earlier his week, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the Mid-Autumn Festival holidays are “spent with families and friends treasuring our many blessings.” We hope that on this auspicious day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Mr. Chen would have a chance to come a step closer to spending time with HIS family and friends as well.”

安德魯斯眾議員呼籲同仁支持陳水扁保外就醫決議案

在二零一三年九月二十日，紐澤西州民主黨安德魯斯眾議員，向美國眾議院的四百三十五位議員發了一封「致親愛同仁函」，央求他們支持第46號決議案，該決議案主張：「國會呼籲台灣政府應立即允許前總統陳水扁的保外就醫，以確保他能夠受到最佳的醫療照護」

第46號決議案是在二零一三年七月三十日由安德魯斯眾議員所提出的。

此封標題為「應允台灣陳前總統的保外就醫」的「致親愛同仁函」 提到：「陳先生自二零零八年十二月以來，便因為許多台灣觀察家聲稱是出於政治動機的貪污罪而在獄中日益憔悴。而考量到陳先生目前極為衰弱的身心健康，應於此時就人道立場，准許陳前總統的保外就醫，以接受必需的醫療照護。」

該議案也引述一九七九年的台灣關係法條文：「玆此重申維護及促進所有台灣人民的人權是美國的目標。」

議案也指出：「一位前國家領導人受到如此的待遇，很明顯地違反了我國所崇尚的民主與人權價值。當這些價值不受尊重的情形下，國會無法保持緘默」

議案並總結道：「陳先生應要能夠自己挑選合適的看護，而保外就醫的相關程序也應立即開始。台灣的司法系統是允許醫療假釋的，而政府也應在此時應允陳先生此一權利。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「陳前總統所受到的待遇很明顯是違反人權的。在民主體制下，任何犯人都應享有適切的醫療資源以治療其病痛；更何況是國家的前領導人？」

高博士指出：「台美人對馬政府給陳前總統的待遇感到相當困擾。剝奪前總統的基本人權可以說是民主國家的恥辱。因此，我們在此要求馬政府正視陳水扁目前所受之不堪待遇，對台灣的國際形象所造成的損害，並且即刻准許陳總統的保外就醫。」

高博士總結道：「本周稍早，美國國務卿凱瑞提到中秋節 「是一段與家人和朋友共同珍惜的歡樂時光」，我們也誠摯地希望陳前總統能早日保外就醫，並與家人團聚」

Rep. Andrews’ Letter