Global liberal alliance slams China over 'transnational repression'

Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) Liberal International (LI), a global alliance of liberal and progressive democratic political parties, has adopted an emergency resolution condemning China for what it describes as "transnational repression" targeting Taiwanese.

Fan Yun (范雲), a lawmaker from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), wrote on Facebook on Sunday that the resolution passed with overwhelming support.

According to Fan, LI -- which claims over 120 member parties and affiliates in more than 60 countries -- expressed deep concern over China's "baseless charges of 'separatism'" against DPP lawmaker Puma Shen (沈伯洋).

It also expressed concern over Chinese state media calling for his pursuit through the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) or other judicial mutual-assistance mechanisms.

The resolution states that such actions violate fundamental human rights and constitute a serious escalation against an elected representative of a democratic society.

Fan said the text "reaffirms that the PRC holds no legal authority over the people of Taiwan" and states that China's attempts to impose jurisdiction "constitute a clear violation of international human rights norms."

LI said the group "condemns the PRC's ongoing use of transnational repression" and urges member parties and governments to strengthen legal and institutional protections for individuals targeted by such practices.

It also "calls upon members to resist the PRC's political coercion aimed at silencing Taiwanese voices" and affirms support for Taiwan's "democratic resilience."

The resolution encourages the development of international mechanisms to monitor and respond to transnational repression, according to LI.

It further calls on the international community "to uphold a rules-based international order and peaceful diplomacy regarding Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait," and urges multilateral efforts to clarify the legal scope of United Nations Resolution 2758 so Taiwan may participate in appropriate international organizations without altering the status quo.

In a separate post on Sunday on the social media platform Threads, Shen wrote: "My battlefield is not only in Taiwan."

The DPP lawmaker said LI delegates introduced a key change during deliberations, with a member representative insisting the resolution title explicitly state that the repression targets "Taiwanese Nationals."

"Taiwanese Nationals - not the People of Taiwan, not Residents of Taiwan, but Taiwanese Nationals," Shen added, calling the wording a recognition of Taiwan's "subjectivity."

He said China's conduct has been defined as "transnational repression," and that democratic societies respond by emphasizing "the distinction of non-subordination in sovereignty."

In late October, China's Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau declared that Shen, a DPP lawmaker, was wanted for crimes of "separatism" for promoting "Taiwanese independence."

On Nov. 9, China Central Television (CCTV News) aired a segment which suggested INTERPOL should pursue Shen.