President Chen Shui-bian on December 12 met with Mr. Robert Menard, Secretary General of Reporters Without Borders, at the Presidential Office. The president said he is delighted to have the opportunity to again meet with Secretary General Menard, and expressed a warm welcome and appreciation to him.
President Chen said that on January 28, he presented the 2006 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award to Secretary General Menard on behalf of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. He said that Burmese physician Dr. Cynthia Maung will receive the 2007 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award for her service to refugees at the Mae Tao Clinic on the Thai-Burmese border. He lauded the selection of Dr. Maung to receive the award.
The president said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law on Taiwan. In other words, two decades ago, Taiwan was just ending its period of martial law, which lasted for 38 years and was the longest period of martial law in the world. After the lifting of martial law, he said, Taiwan did not immediately achieve true freedom and democracy. Many restrictions were put on the press and freedom of speech. Fortunately, however, the many efforts made by Taiwan in recent years to ensure press freedoms have not gone unnoticed. In the most recent annual worldwide press freedom index compiled by Reporters Without Borders, Taiwan not only ranked first in Asia in terms of press freedom, but also its ranking far surpassed that of Japan and even the United States. Likewise, rankings compiled by Freedom House of the US also put Taiwan in first place in Asia in press freedom. Taiwan received a perfect score from that organization in freedom of religious belief and freedom of speech.
President Chen said the 2007 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award will be presented on December 13 to Burmese physician Dr. Cynthia Maung, who provides service to refugees at the Mae Tao Clinic. The president said crackdowns by the Burmese military regime have harmed innocent civilians, shocking the entire world. President Chen said the Taiwan government early on condemned the action by the Burmese government and expressed its hopes that the democratic nations around the world renounce the events taking place in that nation. The president said human rights and rule of law do not exist under a military government, and the universal values of freedom and justice are also lost. This is the reason why the president said he has spent these years not only defending press freedom and freedom of speech without exception, but also has worked to implement the concept of having the military serve the nation opposed to a political party. Redefining the military's role is one of the most important achievements made in the democratic development of Taiwan, he said.
Secretary General Menard not only thanked the president for meeting with him, but also said that the president's example of the military regime in Burma clearly goes to show the difference between true democracy and democracy that is a sham. Taiwan is a true democracy, he said. Secretary General Menard also mentioned the top rankings received by Taiwan in surveys carried out by international organizations, noting that Reporters Without Borders issues its scores only after exhaustive research and surveys.
Secretary General Menard also praised Taiwan's democratic achievements. He said Reporters Without Borders is a true friend to Taiwan and said he believes that the moves by agencies under the United Nations denying press credentials to Taiwan reporters violates the principle of non-prejudice. Reporting by a journalist is within the scope of his or her duty and does not represent a nation. Therefore, a reporter should not face restrictions. Secretary General Menard also pledged that his organization will provide the greatest support possible and offer assistance to ensure the rights of Taiwan journalists to report at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.