Taipei: Two Taiwanese DPP Legislators Chen Chiech-Ju and Wu Yi-chen speaks out for Tibet in Taiwan's congress, on 9 March 2012. Taiwanese Minister Luo Ying-shay came under fire Saturday for turning down an invitation from lawmakers to take part in a parade tomorrow to mark the 53rd anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.
Will you join me in the parade to show your support for Tibetans' struggle for freedom?" Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Tuan Yi-kang asked Luo during a question-and-answer session at a meeting of the legislature's Internal Administration Committee. Finally four Taiwan lawmakers will join in the parade to mark 53rd Tibetan National Uprising Day in the capital on Sunday.
According to a report by Taipei Times, Luo said Saturday that she fully understood the situation in Tibet and sympathized with the Tibetans in their struggle, but declined to join the parade. "I will not take part in it. I am a government official, and I have to take everything into consideration. I will not take part in such a politically oriented event," she said, adding that despite her decision, she would not intervene if other commission staff wanted to join the march. Her response drew criticism not only from Tuan, but also from other DPP and Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers.
DPP and TSU lawmakers also condemned Taiwanese government for not wanting to take part in Sunday's parade and for not making an official statement condemning human rights violations committed by the Chinese government in Tibet.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Tuan Yi-kang strongly urged other congress members to join four lawmakers in the parade to show their support for Tibetans' struggle for freedom. DPP and TSU lawmakers also condemned Taiwanese government for not wanting to take part in Sunday's parade and for not making an official statement condemning human rights violations committed by the Chinese government in Tibet.
