- Protesters urge Taiwanese lawmakers to reject parliamentary reform bills

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - A large crowd congregated Friday around the legislature, known as the Legislative Yuan, in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei, urging opposition parties to retract their proposed bills for parliamentary reform, said media reports.

More than 20,000 protesters gathered as lawmakers voted on reform bills proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) section by section, according to the Taiwan Economic Democracy Union, Taipei-based Focus Taiwan reported.

The opposition KMT and TTPP, which hold a legislative majority, proposed bills aimed at increasing scrutiny of executive agencies and officials.

The proposed changes to the “Law Governing the Legislative Yuan's Power” seek to enhance lawmakers' investigative rights.

They would allow the legislature to form investigative committees with the authority to access documents from government agencies, the military and private entities, and to summon individuals for testimony.

Some protesters displayed signs that read: "I hold the Legislature in contempt," as they opposed the proposed amendment to the Criminal Code, which would introduce "contempt of the Legislature" as a punishable offense.

The government and opposition lawmakers decided to extend the legislative meeting until midnight local time.

The bill would require the president to deliver an annual State of the Nation Address and respond to questions from lawmakers.

The reform sparked large protests in Taipei, with DPP supporters opposing further empowering the legislature where the ruling party lost its majority during elections in January.

Taiwanese amendments must pass three readings to become law. The contentious amendments have so far passed two readings.

China considers Taiwan its “breakaway province” while the self-ruled island has insisted on its independence since 1949.

Beijing also opposes Taiwan’s representation at the UN and other international organizations and demands that other countries cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry criticized UN authorities on Friday for not issuing permits to two Taiwanese journalists.

“The UN demand that Taiwanese journalists applying to cover #WHA77 (World Health Assembly Session 77) with Chinese passports is unreasonable & contradicts its mission to promote universal human rights," it said.

The WHA begins its 77th session Saturday in Geneva and its media credentials authority had asked two Taiwanese journalists from the Central News Agency "to provide an official Chinese passport that complies with UN policies and guidance for the UN General Assembly resolutions."

Taiwan “calls on the UN to honor its Charter, uphold press freedom and stop political discrimination,” said the ministry.

Foreign Minister Chia-lung Lin urged the WHA on Friday to invite Taipei to participate in its session.

"Taiwan can help," he said and called for global support for Taiwan's participation in the UN system, including the World Health Organization.

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