In January of 1982 Chang Ming-ch'uan was accused of murder and sentenced to death. After a series of rehearings the judgment remained unchanged. In March of the following year Chang wrote a letter to the Chinese Association for Human Rights claiming his innocence and asking for help. Dr. Han Lih-wu, president of the Association along with the Legal Advisory Committee reviewed the case and found the evidence doubtful. They sent a lawyer to defend Chang and in June of 1984, after the third trial in a High Court, evidence for Chang's guilt was found to be insufficient. With the help of the Association, Chang's life was spared and a miscarriage of justice reversed.

The Chinese Association for Human Rights which helped Chang was founded in February of 1979, with the aim of protecting human rights. Its president, Dr. Han Lih-wu, mentioned that the founding of the Association was based on two factors. First, the promotion of human rights rests on a democratic government. The successes of the Chinese government after 30 years on Taiwan provided the background for the founding of a human rights association. Second, human rights had become an important aim in U.S. foreign policy during the Carter administration. However, such policy tended to avoid communist countries. The original purpose of the Association was thus to help make the world aware of the violations of human rights in communist controlled China, and monitor human rights in the Republic of China.

With the severance of formal relations with the U.S., mainland China's "united front", and the Kaohsiung Incident, many argued that strict governmental control and order should take precedence over human rights. Others such as Dr. Lu Ya-li, professor of political science at Taiwan National University, argued that human rights are essential to the progress of an enlightened government, the promotion of social harmony and a good international image.

Despite initial doubts, the Chinese Association for Human Rights continued and grew, eventually receiving the attention and respect of other nations. This respect is due in part to the organization's sincere conviction to objectivity. From the start, Dr. Han has refused to request government subsidies. While the organization's responsibilities include supervision of the government in its task of promoting democratic rule of law, the acceptance of government subsidies would make it difficult to maintain a detached standpoint.

As already mentioned, in its initial stages the Association concentrated on violations of human rights on the mainland. Letters, telegrams and the news media are used to call attention to these violations and to gain international support for those arrested and imprisoned by the communist government for participation in democratic movements. The Association also helps those who have defected and seek political asylum in foreign countries. Conferences on problems of human rights on the mainland are also organized, and related materials published and disseminated.

In addition, the Association set up a Thai-Chinese Refugee Service to help refugees of Chinese descent in camps along the Thai border. Such aid includes medicine, sanitation, education and technical training, along with assistance in emigrating to other countries.

The Association is also concerned with the issue of human rights on Taiwan. The starting point was marked by the Kaohsiung Incident, which drew the concern of international human rights associations. In order to help them better understand the situation they were invited by the Association to review the incident and sit in on the judicial proceedings. Association members also sat in and made sure that the defendants' rights were fully protected.

Their treatment in prison was also of concern to the Association, which provided them with medical care in jail, and proposed that those who showed good performance be allowed early release. As a result, Lin Yi-hsiung and Kao Ch'un-ming were given amnesty last August.

While realizing the necessity of public order, the Association firmly believes that human rights must not be overlooked. After the widely publicized suicide of Wang Yi-hsien, the Association made sure that the five policemen responsible were punished, and Wang's family given financial assistance. An appeal on the miscarriage of justice in the Mi Tiao case was also handled by the Association. In two other individual cases, the rights of all children to attend school were upheld when two orphans whose foster parents had prohibited them to attend were restored the right.

The Chinese Association for Human Rights is unique among human rights organizations for its legal services. In March of 1982 a Legal Counseling Service was set up in which members of the public may go for free legal advice and consultation in cases of human rights violation. The Service has already handled many cases. It may also participate in the investigation of these cases.

The Association's most recent trend is to undertake projects relating to investigation and research of human rights in Taiwan. These evaluation projects, undertaken by scholarly organizations to ensure objectivity, include studies of the actual condition of human rights in a number of areas, as well as residents' evaluations. In 1982 the Association completed a research project on civil and political rights, social rights, educational rights and economic rights on Taiwan. The project, a milestone in the development of human rights on Taiwan, was undertaken respectively by Tunghai University, National Chung Hsing University, National Normal University and National Cheng-chih University.

The Chinese Association for Human Rights has also sponsored investigations and conferences on the Shan-ti peoples' rights and the rights of workers and miners, as well as the relation of transportation safety, euthanasia, special privileges and bribery to human rights. The areas of concern continue to broaden and encompass the general public.

Initially established with the aim of making the world aware of human rights violations on the mainland, the Chinese Association for Human Rights has also turned its attentions to internal cases. It will continue to propagate the concept of human rights and to promote the systematic protection of the human rights of Chinese at home and abroad.

(Jill Ardourel)

[Picture Caption]

1. Dr. Han Lih-wu, president of the Chinese Association for Human Rights states, "Our work is still in the test stages, gradually grasping a course of direction." 2. The Chinese Association for Human Rights seeks to help the government in the task of promoting democratic rule of law. 3. The Association has set up a legal counseling service which offers free legal advising.

1. The Chinese Association for Human Rights sent staff to visit those prosecuted after the Kaohsiung Incident. 2. The Association has organized a Thai-Chinese Refugee Service. Education is an important part of their services.

" 2. The Chinese Association for Human Rights seeks to help the government in the task of promoting democratic rule of law.

3. The Association has set up a legal counseling service which offers free legal advising.

1. The Chinese Association for Human Rights sent staff to visit those prosecuted after the Kaohsiung Incident.

2. The Association has organized a Thai-Chinese Refugee Service. Education is an important part of their services.