OVERTURE 37-84. ON REQUESTING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA TO GIVE A VOICE IN THE GOVERNMENT TO THE TAIWANESE PEOPLE, ETC.—FROM THE PRESBYTERY OF MECKLENBURG.
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[For Assembly action See pages
53,
55.]
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"Whereas martial law has continued more than thirty-five years and the Taiwanese people have not lived under it longer than any people in modern history; and6331984
"Whereas, a goodly number of persons arrested often for vaguely defined anti-government activities continue in prison in Taiwan after the passage of many years; and6331984
"Whereas, the continued imprisonment of over four years of Dr. C. M. Kao, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and of other prisoners of conscience is a source of deep concern for Christians and others in that country and around the world.6331984
"Whereas, freedom of religion continues to be seriously threatened by the proposal of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of China to seek passage of a bill to control religious bodies; and6331984
"Whereas, the 195th General Assembly (1983) reaffirmed its commitment to work with and for the people of Taiwan, in particular with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, for the attainment of those rights, dignity, and self-determination due all persons but denied under martial law; therefore, be it6331984
Resolved, that the 196th General Assembly (1984) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joins the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan in respectfully urging the Government of the Republic of China (1) to take steps to make provision for the full participation of the people of Taiwan in the processes of government, to guarantee freedom for all who reside in Taiwan, and to provide for social justice and the ride of law on the island with the implied ending of martial law in Taiwan; (2) to provide for fill and open participation by the people of Taiwan in determining their own destiny; (3) to free prisoners of conscience, including Dr. Chun Ming Kao, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and Ms. Wen Chen Lin, Principal of the Calvin Bible Institute for Women, and (4) to end all plans for seeking enactment of any bill aimed at curtailing freedom of religion or controlling religious bodies.6331984
"Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the wife and family of Dr. Kao, to the Presbyteries Church of Taiwan, the World Council of Churches, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the President of the United States, and the Congress of the United States."6331984