TAIPEI, Taiwan – China failed to enact democratic reforms in 2008 despite promises to do so, a private democracy watchdog organization said Tuesday.
The statement from the Washington, D.C.-based Freedom House came as the group unveiled its 2009 "Freedom in the World," report, an analysis on levels of freedom in almost 200 countries around the globe.
Asia researcher Sarah Cook called China's progress toward freedom in 2008 "disappointing," particularly following its promises to expand opportunities for free expression in connection with the holding of the summer Olympics.
"There were restrictions on Internet access even after there was some opening of that when the Games first began, and ... a lot of attacks and incidents of foreign journalists arrested," Cook said. "Meanwhile, local journalists continue to face a very difficult environment, including arrests."
Tuesday was the first time Freedom House publicized its annual report in Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory despite the fact the two sides split amid civil war in 1949.
Freedom House Director of Studies Christopher Walker said Taiwan was chosen for the report's rollout because of its successful transition from one-party dictatorship to thriving democracy beginning in the mid-1980s.
We wanted "to highlight Taiwan's role as a vibrant democracy in the (Asian) region," he said.
However, Cook expressed concern about the free right of assembly on the island, following strong police action against protesters demonstrating against the visit of a senior Chinese envoy in late October and early November.
Chen Yunlin, the highest Chinese official to visit Taiwan in nearly six decades, was dogged by protesters who viewed his trip as a Chinese attempt to put the self-governed island under its fold.
Thousands demonstrated in downtown Taipei when President Ma Ying-jeou held a brief meeting with Chen. Many also later tried to surround Chen at his hotel, an area off limits to protesters, prompting police to use water cannons and clubs to disperse the crowd.
RSS
The Washington, D.C.-based Freedom House has ample time to criticize Chinese but they turn blind eyes when 1.5 million Palestinians are starved of basic human rights due to Israeli blockade of their land. Now even 1300 dead Palestinians due to Israeli shelling did not melt the hearts of human right watch and they keep talking against China; the 3rd largest economy in the world.
Freedom House Director of Studies Christopher Walker must concentrate more on human rights where rights are violated due to occupation, oppression and discrimination. Where else they could find such a fertile ground of human rights violation than in Occupied Palestinian lands, Congo, Zaire and Darfur.
Poor Chen Yunlin, the highest Chinese official to visit Taiwan could have been respected for his brave face by visiting Taiwan but evils deprived him of dignity which he deserved.
Communist China is much better placed in human rights and personal freedom than India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Burma. Human Right watchdogs should peep into these countries first.