Taiwan Protests to WHO After Expatriates Pressured at Pro-WHA Parade

(CNA, Taipei, May 20, by reporter Yang Yao-ju) Expatriates participating in a parade in Geneva, Switzerland to support Taiwan's inclusion in the WHA were pressured by "WHO officials." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated today that it has instructed its Geneva office to protest to the WHO Secretariat and local police, urging them to uphold impartiality and neutrality when handling the participation of Taiwanese people in events. The parade, co-organized by several groups including the Europe for Taiwan Walk Association and the Swiss Formosa Cultural Association, was held in Geneva on the 17th to support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA). Expatriates reported being pressured by "WHO officials" during the parade, who demanded they cover the word "TAIWAN" on their T-shirts or take them off, which they found humiliating and absurd. In response to a query from CNA this afternoon, MOFA expressed its dissatisfaction and confirmed that it had tasked its Geneva office with lodging a protest with the World Health Organization (WHO) Secretariat and local police. It called on the WHO to always handle the rights and dignity of public participation from all countries with neutrality and professionalism when hosting related events. MOFA noted that the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, in response to media inquiries on the 18th, emphasized that "international cooperation and coordination in public health matters are crucial, as health issues know no borders." The government hopes that the Swiss government, based on the principle of 'health without borders' and the universal values of democracy and human rights shared by Taiwan and Switzerland, will urge the WHO and local police to adhere to fairness and neutrality when dealing with Taiwanese participation in activities, and not to deviate from the WHO's goal and spirit of "Health for All." (Editor: Su Chih-tsung)