December 7, 2008
Reported by Lin Yi-ying
Written by Lydia Ma

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan's aboriginal presbytery in Taitung city and county joined a movement opposing nuclear waste storage in Taitung. In recent days, church members have reported that Taitung county police department and Taitung investigation bureau have sent representatives to monitor church activities. Officers have repeatedly appeared during fellowship meetings, community gatherings and worship services. Employees from Taitung aboriginal presbytery office suspect that their office phones have been tapped as well.

Taitung aboriginal presbytery office reports that it has received a lot of phone calls recently from authorities enquiring about the number of people who will attend some rally or another, whether protesters will carry dangerous items or weapons, or the name of the pastor who will lead church members at a rally. Authorities have also enquired whether opposing nuclear waste disposal in Taitung will be discussed during church activities. According to one local pastor, Taitung city and county officials have offered all kinds of excuses to refuse renting venues to churches because of the latter's opposition to nuclear wastes being disposed in Taitung. Church employees sometimes receive more than ten phone calls per day from government authorities enquiring about anti-nuclear waste disposal rallies. Furthermore, mysterious individuals have appeared at meetings held by organizations opposing nuclear waste disposal in Taitung.

According to reports, some people support storing nuclear wastes in Taitung. They have taken every opportunity possible to lobby for public support, including putting up posters that say the impoverished region would receive much needed financial compensation from the government if the proposal goes through.

Ever since President Ma took office, protests, rallies, and large group events organized by the opposition party or other organizations in Taiwan have been closely monitored by the government. Some government officials have already contacted churches to express "concern" over the human rights prayer rally to be held on December 7th in Kaohsiung city. In response, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) Church and Society Committee issued a statement on its website announcing that all group events will be posted on the PCT General Assembly's website from now on so that "interested" individuals may easily access key information or contact the committee for any questions.

Taiwan Church News