TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA: Government Declares to Move Law Making to Ban Corporal Punishment (10 August 2005)

Summary: Leading 15 children, whose ages ranged from
4 to 16, the Humanistic Education Foundation
visited Taiwan’s Premier Frank Hsieh on 9
August. The purpose of this visit was to deliver
an international appeal for child protection
from corporal punishment, and to urge the
government to follow the international human
rights trend of making laws to forbid corporal
punishment.

[TAIPEI, 9 August 2005] - Premier Frank Hsieh shook hands with HEF’s Executive Director Ying Shih after he happily stuck a sign saying “No CP in” on a large map on which countries that ban corporal punishment by laws were marked pink. This act symbolises his commitment to leading Taiwan [Province of China] to become an advanced country where laws forbid corporal punishment. Leading 15 children, whose ages ranged from 4 to 16, the Humanistic Education Foundation (HEF)’s President Tai-Hisang Chu, Executive Director Ying Shi and Chief Executive Chiao-Lan Feng visited Taiwan’s Premier Frank Hsieh on 9 August. The purpose of this visit was to deliver an international appeal for child protection from corporal punishment, and to urge the government to follow the international human rights trend of making laws to forbid corporal punishment. Accompanied by Vice Minister of Education Sun-Lu Fan and Political Deputy Minister of the Interior Wun-Ying Chang, Premier Hsieh replied at the meeting, ”What should be done shall be done as soon as possible. We want to have a country where there’s no corporal punishment!” HEF showed the Premier the statements made by Paulo Pinheiro, Independent Expert of the UN Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children (SGSVAC), and Peter Newell, Joint Co-ordinator of the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment, at the East Asia and Pacific Regional Consultation in Bangkok this June. The former stressed the importance of legislation for banning corporal punishment; the latter appealed to the Taiwan government for quickly changing laws to forbid all corporal punishment. HEF also illustrated Sweden’s successful experience in gradually making and enacting law that completely bans corporal punishment, and suggested the government seriously consider the same method. Ying Shih, HEF’s Executive Director, said, ”The anti-corporal punishment movement in Taiwan has come a long way over the years; however, further work has to be done. In view of the benefit of our children and future, we should hold the prospect of establishing a country without corporal punishment. During his term of Kaohsiung City Mayor, Premier Hsieh endorsed our campaign efforts for this ideal. Now we hope the Premier supports and moves to protect children’s human rights through law making so that Taiwan will become a country where children’s rights are truly considered and protected.” Premier Hsieh said, "I have noticed that sometimes teachers and parents hit children as an emotional outlet, instead of disciplining children. It will take more time and patience to educate children without CP, but how we treat our children will affect their future development. Therefore, we need to work together to make Taiwan a nation where is suitable for kids to grow and where no kid gets beaten." In addition, Hsieh acknowledged HEF’s effort in the anti CP movement and its relevant work of international interaction, and looked forward to the societal progress initiated by those with a view of future, such as HEF. Afterwards, children at the meeting gave Hsieh a T-shirt with the slogan of "Establish a country without corporal punishment" and some sunflowers that represent hope and vitality. This was to thank Premier Hsieh for his promise on the anti CP issue. Hsieh, in return, gave each child a pottery flute. One kid started to play it, which inspired Hsieh to start a short lesson of how to play this musical instrument. The whole event was very pleasant. In response to the Premier’s statement, the Ministry of Education (MOE) plans to propose an amendment bill which explicitly forbids corporal punishment by teachers in the Fundamental Law of Education. Vice Minister of Education Fan Sun-Lu added, “Over the last few years, anti CP has been the MOE’s policy. And now we are very willing to work with the private sector on changing the attitude, value and laws under the educational system.” As to corporal punishment at home, Political Vice Minister of the Interior Wun-Ying Chang indicated that the Ministry had always supported the idea of “Zero Corporal Punishment” and expressed the will to continue advocating and educating families and the public step by step. Premier Hsieh’s statement has historical importance—for the first time in Taiwan’s history the government declared their support of and devotion to legislation to forbid CP. HEF is delighted that the government positively responded to the international trend. HEF also looks forward to the authorities’ next step to directly initiate the law making process, so that our children will live in a country without corporal punishment! Media contact: Kim Wang, Secretary for Public Affairs, HEF Tel: + 886 2 2367 0151 #117 Fax: + 886 2 2362 5015 Email: [email protected]