Taiwan: Kaohsiung City Council Passes Resolution to Support Legislation Opposing Organ Harvesting

(Minghui.org) The Kaohsiung City Council passed a resolution on December 14, 2023 expressing their support for legislation to combat the crime of forced organ harvesting by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The council also called on the Kaohsiung government to inform local residents about these crimes against humanity.

Many councilors expressed their support on December 15, the day after the Kaohsiung City Council passed the resolution.

Group photo of Kaohsiung City Councilors

The Kaohsiung City Council is the fifth council in Taiwan to pass the resolution after Taoyuan, Taipei, New Taipei and Tainan. The day after the resolution was passed, many councilors publicly expressed their support.

Kaohsiung City Councilor Chen Qimai

Kaohsiung City Councilor Chen Qimai said, “Human rights has no national boundaries. Upholding human rights has always been the position of the Kaohsiung City Council. In particular, there are serious human rights issues in [certain areas of] China such as Xinjiang. One example is the organ harvesting—the international community needs to express its concern and condemnation. I call on local governments and grassroots organizations to unite and express their concern.”

I Hope Legislation to Cut Off Illegal Sources of Organs Will Be Passed Soon

Kaohsiung City Councilor Chen Lina

Councilor Chen Lina who sponsored the resolution explained the objective of the resolution to each and every councilor and gained support from all political parties. In the end, the resolution was passed.

Ms. Chen said, “The rest of the world strictly controls organ transplants. Through this joint consensus I hope Taiwan will soon complete legislation on organ transplants, enabling people to know the source of the organs, and that there is legal monitoring. We need to stop the source of illegal organs and uphold human rights.

“With legal constraints [in place], rejecting organs from unknown sources helps people avoid being accomplices to murder. This is an important safeguard for human rights and protects people’s health.”

An Act of Justice

Kaohsiung City Councilor Liu Delin

Kaohsiung City Councilor Liu Delin from the Kuomintang said, “The Kaohsiung City Council will support the central government in passing legislation to prevent live organ harvesting. This is an act of justice! Human life is priceless, one cannot go against the principles of humanity. Opposing live organ harvesting is also a necessary means to protect people’s health and welfare, so we are happy to see the full implementation of the legislation and that Taiwan is on the same page with the rest of the world.”

Councilor Calls on Investigations into the Source of Organs

Kaohsiung City Councilor Zhang Boyang

Kaohsiung City Councilor Zhang Boyang from the Taiwan Statebuilding Party said that legislation opposing organ harvesting is a global movement that spans political parties, nationalities and regions. He explained that it is an honor that the Kaohsiung City Council has caught the train to condemn organ harvesting, and uphold universal human rights. He calls on all counties and cities in Taiwan to join in this movement by passing legislation to punish those who participate in organ harvesting.

He also said that people should be made aware of the risks of going to China for organ transplants. Some patients ignore the source of organs in order to quickly get an organ, thereby becoming accomplices to murder.

Councilors Supports Legislation to Stop Live Organ Harvesting

Kaohsiung City Councilor Tang Yongyu

Kaohsiung City Councilor Tang Yongyu from the Democratic Progressive Party stated, “The objective of this resolution is to ensure that in the process of organ transplants, the source of organs comply with human rights standards. Although the council is not the law enforcer, we represent the people. Through this resolution, we convey our determination and attitude towards upholding human rights.”

Ms. Tang said that currently there is a poster exhibition about the organ harvesting in Kaohsiung Girls Senior High. She welcomes residents to go and see the exhibition to gain a better understanding of the issue. She said everyone needs to uphold human rights.

Kaohsiung City Councilor Cai Jinyan

Kaohsiung City Councilor Cai Jinyan said, “Live organ harvesting is a severe oppression of life. It must be condemned and stopped. I support legislation to restrain such illegal acts.

“I hope that there will be a comprehensive set of relevant laws and regulations in regards to organ transplants, enabling people to be aware of and have assurance that organs come from legal sources.

“One should not sustain life through killing another healthy being. I hope such evil acts of organ harvesting will disappear among humans.”