On May 28th, 2024, Dr. Gerrit van der Wees, a distinguished recipient of the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, visited the National Human Rights Commission of Taiwan (NHRC), accompanied by his wife, Ms. Chen Mei-chin. During their meeting with NHRC Commissioners, the couple reflected on their long-standing commitment to advocating for Taiwan's democracy and human rights, as well as their role in the founding of the Taiwan Communiqué—a key publication in raising international awareness about Taiwan’s democratic struggles.
In his address, Dr. Van der Wees traced his journey back to the 1970s when he first became involved with the Amnesty International (AI) at the University of Washington in Seattle. At the time, he participated in letter-writing campaigns to advocate for Prisoners of Conscience in countries such as the Soviet Union, Chile, and Taiwan. It was also during this period that he met his wife, Ms. Chen Mei-chin. Their shared commitment to human rights intensified after the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident, a pivotal moment in Taiwan’s struggle for democracy, which prompted the couple to found the Taiwan Communiqué in the U.S. to shed light on the island’s political situation. As a result of their outspoken advocacy, they were blacklisted by Taiwan’s martial law regime and banned from entering the island until 1993.
The Taiwan Communiqué served as a powerful testament to the couple’s dedication to Taiwan’s cause. Between 1980 and 2016, the publication released 155 issues, documenting Taiwan's dramatic transformation from an authoritarian state to a vibrant democracy. The Communiqué also offered insights into how Taiwan’s evolving political landscape was perceived by both the U.S. and the international community. After ceasing publication in 2016, Dr. Van der Wees and Ms. Chen generously donated the full collection to the National Human Rights Museum of Taiwan among other organizations, ensuring the preservation of these critical historical records for future generations.
Dr. Van der Wees, a former Dutch diplomat, continued advocating for Taiwan after his retirement in 2005. Through his involvement with the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), he worked tirelessly to garner support for Taiwan from U.S. lawmakers and government officials. Additionally, since 2012, he has been an adjunct instructor at the George Mason University, where he teaches courses on Taiwan’s history and political development.
In her closing remarks, NHRC Chairperson Chen Chu emphasized the hard-won nature of Taiwan's democracy. She noted that the freedoms and human rights enjoyed by Taiwanese citizens today are the fruit of indefatigable advocacy and sacrifices made by both domestic and international activists and supporters, across generations. Chairperson Chen expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Van der Wees and Ms. Chen for their enduring contributions to Taiwan's democratic progress, human rights, and international standing.
Notable attendees at the talk included NHRC Vice Chairperson Tsai Chung-yi and Commissioners Wang Yu-ling, Wang Jung-chang, Tien Chiu-chin, Chi Hui-jung, pasuya poiconx, Kao Yung-cheng, Yeh Ta-hua, and Upay Radiw Kanasaw. Also present were Vice President of the Control Yuan Lee Hung-chun and Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi.