Urgent Appeal for the Release and Medical Treatment of Dr. Ko Wen-je, Arbitrarily Detained and Held Incommunicado in Taiwan
By TPP Supporters (a.k.a Grasslings)
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to bring to your urgent attention the case of Dr. Ko Wen-je, a prominent political figure in Taiwan who has been arbitrarily detained for over seven months without clear evidence of wrongdoing. His prolonged detention, lack of access to adequate medical care, and the apparent violations of his human rights—including being held incommunicado—necessitate immediate intervention from the international human rights community.
Case Overview
Dr. Ko Wen-je, a former mayor of Taipei and a key opposition leader, was taken into custody and has been detained since Sep. 5th 2024. Authorities have failed to present conclusive evidence of financial misconduct or any other criminal activity. Despite the absence of clear charges, he has been held in prolonged pretrial detention under questionable legal justifications.
Disturbingly, Dr. Ko has been held incommunicado for extended periods, meaning he has been denied meaningful communication with his family, legal representatives, and the public. This practice raises serious concerns regarding potential mistreatment, lack of transparency, and the suppression of his fundamental rights.
The Taiwanese judicial system, while generally regarded as fair and independent, has demonstrated alarming irregularities in this case, raising concerns of political persecution rather than legitimate legal proceedings. The refusal to grant Dr. Ko reasonable bail despite the lack of substantive evidence further underscores the potential misuse of the legal system for political purposes.
Human Rights Violations
- Arbitrary Detention: The extended pretrial detention of Dr. Ko, without clear evidence or formal charges, violates Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Taiwan has incorporated into domestic law. The continued refusal to release him on bail constitutes an excessive and disproportionate restriction of his liberty.
- Held Incommunicado: Dr. Ko has been denied regular contact with his family and legal team, raising concerns about due process violations and possible ill-treatment. Holding a detainee incommunicado is a direct violation of international human rights standards, including the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as it can facilitate abuse and prevent external oversight.
- Denial of Medical Treatment: Recent reports indicate that Dr. Ko has developed hematuria (blood in the urine), a potentially serious medical condition requiring immediate medical attention. However, authorities have reportedly denied him adequate medical care, which may result in severe health complications. Such treatment violates the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and basic human rights principles.
4. Political Persecution: The circumstances surrounding his detention strongly suggest that Dr. Ko is being targeted due to his political affiliations and opposition to the current administration. If this is the case, it constitutes a direct violation of fundamental democratic principles and the right to fair political participation.
Urgent Call to Action
We respectfully urge your organization to:
Conduct an independent investigation into Dr. Ko Wen-je’s detention, particularly his incommunicado status, and issue an official statement urging Taiwanese authorities to respect due process.
Demand that Dr. Ko receives immediate and adequate medical care in accordance with international human rights standards.
Call for his release unless credible evidence is presented to justify his continued detention under international legal norms.
Engage with the Taiwanese government to ensure fair judicial proceedings, free from political interference.
Conclusion
Dr. Ko’s case is a matter of urgent human rights concern. The denial of medical treatment, prolonged incommunicado detention, and continued imprisonment without clear legal justification demand immediate international attention. We respectfully request your intervention in advocating for justice and the protection of human rights in Taiwan.
We would appreciate any assistance you can provide in addressing this critical issue and are willing to provide additional information or documentation as needed. Thank you for your time and attention to this pressing matter.
Sincerely,
