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A Declaration on Human Rights by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan 1977

August 16, 1977 declaration on human rights from Taiwan's Presbyterian Church
August 16, 1977
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A Declaration on Human Rights

    To the President of the United States of America, to all countries concerned, and to the Christian churches throughout the world:

    Our church confesses that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all mankind and believes that human rights and a land in which each of us has a stake are gifts bestowed by God. Therefore we make this declaration, set in the context of the present crisis threatening the seventeen million people of Taiwan.

    Ever since President Carter's inauguration as President of the United States of America he has consistently adopted "Human Rights" as a principle of his diplomacy. This is an epoch-making event in the history of foreign policy.

    We therefore request President Carter to continue to uphold the principles of human rights while pursuing the "normalisation of relationships with Communist China" and to insist on guaranteeing the security, independence, and freedom of the people of Taiwan.

    As we face the possibility of an invasion by Communist China we hold firmly to our faith and to the principles underlying the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We insist that the future of Taiwan shall be determined by the seventeen million people who live there. We appeal to the countries concerned--especially to the people of government of the United States of America--and to Christian churches throughout the world to take effective steps to support our cause.

    In order to achieve our goal of independence and freedom for the people of Taiwan in this critical international situation, we urge our government to face reality and to take effective measures whereby Taiwan may become a new and independent country.

    We beseech God that Taiwan and all the rest of the world may become a place where "Mercy and truth will meet together; righteousness and peace will embrace. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." (Psalms 85:10-11)

 

H.E. Chao
Moderator of the General Assembly
(at present out of the country)

H.K. Weng
Deputy Moderator of the General Assembly
(Acting in the absence of the Moderator)

C.M. Kao
Secretary-General

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