Prisons always tell stories, whether their governments like it or not. Dr. King andNelson Mandela had a lot to say that move millions of people to grasp the reality oftheir struggle. Even guilty stories of bad treatment can close a jail like Alcatraz and theinfamous prison in Morocco that had used torture daily. Prisons tell good and bad stories.Usually in prisons, there is a difference made for those that used violence and those whohave not, but are still deemed corrupt. Those who disrespect life demand carefulness inprison because after their trial; they got nothing to lose. Those prisoners who are still inthe process of challenging their non violent convictions have a lot to lose or win.
The former president of Taiwan, Mr. Chen, fits this latter category. Convicted ofnonviolent crime, he has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for taking/using moneyin illegal ways. Chen and his many supporters believe that his conviction was politicalbecause, after four years of trials, he has been cleared four of six cases. Of the twoconvicted cases, two prominent judges wrote articles to point out flawed procedures;government influence and biased judicial discretion (see links below).
After 50 years of Japanese colonization of Taiwan, it was followed by a long history ofTaiwan being stuck with the losing soldiers of China under the corrupt dictatorship ofChiang Kai-shek and his son. Today, 80% of the Taiwan look upon themselves a peopledetermined to keep free of another big power dominating them. 20% of the nation feelsthey want to nonviolently unite with Beijing and create a seamless unity ala Hawaii to theUSA. This split is real and highly contested. Chen who was president for 8 years favoredmoving away from Chinese power. The new president wants to get closer to China.
When President Chen was convicted for taking bribes, he was dumped into a 5 by 12 cellwith another prisoner and a smallish toilet. For four years, his health was neglected, andhis needs were ignored. A tumor was discovered in early March and a second one wasdiscovered in late April in his prostate, and yet, two months later, he still has not receiveda biopsy or treatment. He has been denied access to his basic human rights by his formercountrymen. Chen has been turned into a scapegoat for those who believe Taiwan shouldresist the yoke of China's power.
For 4 years, he was treated like a moaner and a groaner, rather than a prisoner withlegitimate complaints. This is where Chen's story gets to be a tale. The anger of thegovernment now lead by President Ma against Chen seeps into the prison. Chen's nonviolence conviction is treated like he was a violent criminal. His health was not dealt withproperly and this is where the story morphs into an epic. The politics of Taiwan becomethe cruel jailer. Those interested in getting closer to China listen to those voices and thosevoices from China. Chen's tenure in prison then is seen by 80% of the nation as a symbolof animosity, not just to Chen but to the large majority of the nation.
Thus, the 80% with a flawed and convicted leader tries to tell Chen's story to the world.No one is listening because growing might of the communist/capitalist nation near by
with debatable roots in Taiwan. One person, Mr. Chen, thus becomes a soccer ball inthis historical and important debate. It would not be urgent if his health were good. Itis not. The neglect of his health as well as the conditions he has been kept in reflect adetermined government, hell bent on destruction of the symbol of keeping away fromChina.
In the USA, few have helped. A couple of Republicans like Lungren and Joyce but notthe Human Rights Commission of Tom Lantos chaired by Wolf and Mc Govern. Chenwas an ally of the USA as a president of Taiwan but no former or present US Presidenthas helped him or spoken out. The power of China crosses even oceans now. Silencehelps destroy a legitimate symbol of the majority of Taiwan citizens. Thus, a simpleprison story becomes a tale not on the prisoner but on his jailers, at home and abroad.