Some years ago I was talking with my friend Linda about the common assumption that economic growth is a prerequisite for the establishment of a democratic system, and democracy is vital to the health of human rights within a large society. Linda rebuffed my “common sense” argument, noting that there is very little in the history books to support the assumption that capitalism is a prerequisite for democratic action, and that democracies naturally encourage human rights throughout society. These are issues I’ve been thinking quite a bit of, lately. My contemplation began a couple of months ago when I had a friendly chat with another customer in a bookstore. As a businessman (born and raised in Taiwan, but now an American citizen living part-time in Shanghai, Taipei and Los Angeles) he was naturally dismayed by the poor economic performance of The Ineptitude’s government. He made a comment to the effect of (and I’m badly paraphrasing from a faulty memory) . . . “With the economy the way it is, I can see Taiwan becoming part of China within the next five years.”
I am still confused. What does a bad economy (rising unemployment, falling productivity) have to do with national integrity? Is “identity” or “freedom” defined by GDP?
The issue came to mind again this morning as I read an article in this morning's Taipei Times newspaper about Liu Xia’s open letter protesting the imprisonment of her activist husband Liu Xiaobo in China. Toward the close of the article (offered below, followed by Liu Xia’s letter) a human rights professor noted that the CCP fascists achieved a “semblance” of political legitimacy through the promise of greater wealth. The middle class took the hook, and while they now enjoy cookie cutter flats in arid old Beijing, they have no real political freedom. But they don’t care, because they can lose themselves in entertainment guaranteed to please every aspect of human sensation.
My heart goes out to Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xia, who did care about having a voice in their nation’s future direction.
U.S. Activists Back Chinese Dissent
Taipei Times, Monday, April 20, 2009
U.S. human rights activists have launched a campaign to free prominent Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo (劉曉波), whose case has become a cause celebre outside China. The Washington Post carried an op-ed article on Thursday by Liu’s wife Liu Xia (劉霞) imploring U.S. President Barack Obama to ask Beijing to free her husband.
The next day, the PEN American Center — part of an international organization promoting freedom of expression — named Liu the winner of this year’s PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Over the weekend there was also a series of lectures, speeches and marches across the US aimed at winning publicity for Liu’s plight.
Liu was one of the primary drafters of a document known as Charter 08 calling for comprehensive political reform in China, including the establishment of a democratic government and the protection of universally recognized human rights. He was arrested at his home in Beijing on Dec. 8 and remains in police custody even though no charges have been brought against him.
Twelve days after Liu’s arrest, civic groups in Taiwan urged Beijing to release him, to respect freedom of speech and to embrace the terms of Charter 08, which they said “will be beneficial to China’s democratic development and the welfare of its citizens.”
They also called on President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to openly support Chinese dissidents to demonstrate that Taiwan was “a beacon of human rights and civic freedoms in East Asia.” “Taiwan cannot focus just on economic and animal exchanges with China and ignore its role in promoting human rights, democracy and freedom in China,” said Yang Chang-chen (楊長鎮), head of the Deng Liberty Foundation in Taiwan.
Anthony Appiah, president of the PEN American Center, said in a New York speech this weekend: “The liberties that allow all of us to make meaningful lives have always depended, alas, on those who are willing, like Liu Xiaobo, to put their own freedom at risk. I am filled with admiration — indeed, with awe — each time I read about the extraordinary things he has done.”
Ian Buruma, a professor of human rights at Bard College in New York State, recently wrote that Liu was “one of the most lucid Chinese intellectuals.” He said: “The Communist government managed to stay in power after the Tiananmen Square protest in 1989 not just through brute force. A semblance of political legitimacy, especially among the educated middle class, was purchased with the promise of greater wealth.
“But if this arrangement collapses and increasing material prosperity can no longer be taken for granted, many unpleasant things could happen. Rural areas and industrial cities might explode in massive riots,” he said. Buruma said that China should follow the example of South Korea, Japan and Taiwan and join the “mainstream of civilized nations.”
In her plea to Obama, Liu Xia said: “I fear that the government is preparing to stage a show trial and convict my husband of ‘inciting the subversion of state power,’ a charge frequently leveled against political dissidents and one that typically carries a lengthy prison sentence. “My husband has done nothing wrong, and his imprisonment is a great tragedy not only for me but also for the countless people of my country who lack a voice but share his desire to see China become a free, democratic nation,” she said.
Xia Liu's Open Letter on Behalf of Her Imprisoned Husband
A wife appeals for help from Obama for Chinese dissident locked up for drafting 'Charter'
Published in The China Post, Saturday, April 18, 2009
By Xia Liu ... Special to The Washington Post
My husband, Liu Xiaobo, was one of the primary drafters of a document known as Charter 08. Modeled after the Charter 77 petition created in the former Czechoslovakia, Charter 08 calls for comprehensive political reforms in China, including the establishment of a democratic government and the protection of universally recognized human rights. It was signed and issued by more than 300 Chinese citizens on Dec. 10, 2008, the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to date it has been signed online by more than 8,000 others.
Charter 08 has clearly resonated with everyday Chinese people. Perhaps this is why my husband, who was arrested on Dec. 8 by Chinese police without an arrest warrant, was seen as such a threat to the regime that he remains in police custody today, even though no charges have been brought against him.
Despite the hardship that his involvement in the Charter 08 movement has caused him, I am sure that Xiaobo has no regrets. He is deeply committed to promoting and protecting the rights of all people, particularly those who do not enjoy the advantages that he has as an intellectual.
Indeed, this was the fourth time that I have had to witness my husband being dragged from our home by Chinese police. He previously served half a year in prison for his participation in the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations at Tiananmen Square.
In 1996, he was taken away and sent to prison for three more years for promoting freedom and democracy in his writings. Then, in 2006, he was once again taken into custody and was interrogated for 12 hours before being released.
Although my husband and I were fully aware of the possible retaliation that his advocacy might inspire, his detention is still very painful for us both. We agreed long ago that we would not have a child, as it would be too cruel to subject him or her to the absence of an imprisoned father. Thus, we are both alone now. We write to each other constantly, knowing our letters will never reach each other. In the nearly four months since his abduction, authorities have allowed me only two visits with him.
After being taken to an undisclosed location, I was permitted to talk with him as we shared a meal under the unremitting surveillance of prison guards. During our conversations, I learned that he has been confined alone to a small room lit by a single light bulb and that most of the more than 60 books I had brought him were confiscated by prison officials. It is difficult for me to bear the extent of his isolation.
Now I fear that the government is preparing to stage a show trial and convict my husband of "inciting the subversion of state power," a charge frequently leveled against political dissidents and one that typically carries a lengthy prison sentence. Police have summoned and investigated nearly all of the original signatories of Charter 08, as they gather "evidence" of my husband's "crime."
In doing so, they are sending a clear signal to others in the democratic movement that dissent will not be tolerated. I implore President Obama to intervene on my husband's behalf and to express to the Chinese government his wish that my husband be freed.
My husband has done nothing wrong, and his imprisonment is a great tragedy not only for me but also for the countless people of my country who lack a voice but share his desire to see China become a free, democratic nation.
Please, President Obama, stand in solidarity with Liu Xiaobo, and help me to be reunited with my husband.
-----
The writer lives in Beijing. Her column was translated by the Laogai Research Foundation, a Washington group working to expose human rights violations in China.
Comments