莫讓政治阻斷、破壞婦女的姊妹情誼與團結

對中國以不當手法阻撓台灣婦女參加「第六屆東亞婦女論壇」的抗議信

親愛的姊妹們：

第六屆東亞婦女論壇即將於今年七月十八日於北京召開，我們卻被迫缺席，以下是來自台灣婦女團體的心聲與抗議！

東亞婦女論壇自第一屆起即建立聯絡人機制，由各國婦女團體推選出該國之聯絡人，擔任聯繫的工作。我們自第一屆東亞婦女論壇至今從未缺席過，而且也在台灣主辦了第四屆東亞婦女論壇，目前結盟的婦女團體已超過九十個。在第五屆東亞婦女論壇舉辦後，我們馬上推選台灣終止童妓協會擔任聯絡人，並由聯絡人邀請其他四個團體組成委員會，負責與東亞婦女論壇的姊妹們聯繫。遺憾的是，一年多來完全沒有得到主辦單位的消息，直到從香港聯絡人處獲知會議時間後，聯絡人更積極地與主辦單位聯繫，而該會總是以會議仍在籌備階段、尚無具體計畫加以敷衍。最後，更以人數已額滿為藉口，拒絕我們報名。

事實上，主辦單位直接跳過由台灣九十多個婦女團體所選出的聯絡人，指定特定團體與會，不讓原本的婦女團體參加，在香港也出現同樣的問題。我們認為這樣的做法已經違背東亞婦女論壇所建立的精神，就是尊重當地國婦女團體之自主性。我們當然樂見有更多的婦女團體參與東亞婦女論壇，但是主辦單位應該尊重當地國已存在之聯絡人機制，透過原有機制邀請當地婦女團體參加。

該會雖言已無名額了，但又在七月十一日來電表示台灣婦女團體可以報名參加，但是在短短的一週內，辦理出國相關手續已來不及，撰寫報告也太緊迫。我們一直抱持著嚴謹的態度參與論壇，希望與會是對論壇有所貢獻，而主辦單位如此輕率作為，只是讓人再次感受到刁難與不被尊重。儘管如此，台灣婦女團體一直都是東亞婦女論壇的一份子，我們十分珍惜與東亞各國婦女團體經驗分享的機會，雖然這次在北京刻意杯葛下無法與大家見面，但是親愛的好姊妹們，我們將在第七屆東亞婦女論壇再次見面，和大家一起分享真貴的婦女經驗與姊妹情誼。

第六屆東亞婦女論壇台灣聯絡人暨委員
台灣終止童妓協會
台灣婦女團體全國聯合會
台灣女人連線
台灣基督長老教會總會婦女事工委員會
台灣婦女會

Do not let Politics conflict with Sisterhood and Solidarity!

Dear Sisters,

The Sixth East Asian Women’s Forum is currently underway in Beijing, but we have been forced to be absent. Here we want to express our strong protests!

Taiwanese women have actively attended every single East Asian Women’s Forum (EAWF) since the first meeting in Japan. In 2000 more than 50 women’s organizations formed an EAWF network in Taiwan, and hosted the Fourth EAWF in Taipei. We currently have more than 90 women’s organizations in the network. After the Fifth EAWF, ECPAT Taiwan was elected to be our contact person. Since then, ECPAT Taiwan has actively communicated with the international and domestic EAWF network, in preparation for the 6th EAWF.

This May, we eagerly inquired all our contacts about this year’s EAWF. We did not receive any information, much less an invitation from China. We did not know the dates of the EAWF, or even who the organizers were, until the Hong Kong sister informed us. ECPAT Taiwan actively pursued further information, but the organizer constantly evaded questions and refused dialogue by claiming that they were still in the preliminary drafting process and did not have any concrete plans yet. About one month later, they told us that there were other Taiwanese women’s organizations registered already. They claimed the Taiwanese quota had already been filled and denied our request to participate. However, on July 11th they suddenly changed their mind and informed us that we could participate. We were given the related information officially from China only one week away from the Forum!!! Of course, we did not have enough time to prepare reports and manage the travel logistics.

We did not know what the Chinese organizer is afraid of. However, it was very clear that the Chinese organizer deliberately ignored our elected official contact person, and assigned a “cooperative” organization to attend. This same problem also happened in Hong Kong. Such political maneuvering not only disrespects Taiwanese women, but also conflicts with the spirit and the tradition of the EAWF. We strongly condemn such behavior.

Taiwanese women’s organizations have always been a part of the EAWF, we may be forced to be absent for once, but we are sure we will come along and join you all again at the Seventh East Asian Women’s Forum.

Best wishes to all of you.

Taiwan Contact Person
ECPAT Taiwan

EAWF Committee Members
National Alliance of Taiwan Women’s Associations (NATWA)
Taiwan Women’s Link (TWL)
The Women’s Ministry Committee, The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)
Taiwan Women’s Association