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Huang Hua (activist)

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Huang Hua
黃華
Born (1939-08-16) 16 August 1939 (age 85)
NationalityEmpire of Japan (until 1945)
Republic of China (since 1945)
Political partyDemocratic Progressive Party (until 2005)
Taiwan Solidarity Union (after 2005)
Taiwanese National Party [zh] (since 2011)
SpouseWu Pao-yu

Huang Hua (Chinese: 黃華; born 16 August 1939)[1] is a Taiwanese activist. He was repeatedly jailed for advocating Taiwanese independence and democratization. Huang spent over twenty years in prison and was named a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.

Activism

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Early activism and imprisonment

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A native of Keelung born in 1939,[2][3] Huang worked with Lei Chen in 1960 to form a political party, the China Democracy Party [zh], with several others.[4][5] As Taiwan was under martial law at the time, the pair's actions were illegal.[6][7] Huang contested the Keelung City Council election of 1963, but was arrested before completing registration, and jailed for two and a half years.[3][4] In 1967, Huang cofounded the Society to Promote the Unity of Taiwanese Youth, and was charged with sedition. Sentenced to ten years imprisonment, he was granted amnesty in 1975.[4] Huang then worked for Kuo Yu-hsin [zh] and the tangwai publication Taiwan Political Review, run by Kang Ning-hsiang.[4] Though Kang asked him to carefully consider his involvement, Huang joined the Review in December 1975, as a deputy editor.[8] Soon after the Review was suspended, Huang opened a noodle shop with Chang Chun-hung.[9] In July 1976, Huang was arrested for his writings in the Review.[10] During his third prison term, Huang was designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.[11][12] His mother died in February 1984,[4] and Huang was prohibited from leaving Green Island to attend her funeral, held the next month.[13] Huang began a hunger strike in April 1985, to show solidarity with fellow political prisoner Shih Ming-teh.[12][14][15] Though it was reported that Huang began eating in August, he chose to continue his protest in September.[16] Huang was moved to Jen-ai Prison in 1986.[2]

After Huang was paroled in 1987,[17] he joined the Association of Political Prisoners.[18] Later, Huang organized a nationwide march for independence in November 1988.[19] The following year, Huang formally founded the New Nation Alliance [zh], linked to a movement of the same name.[20][21] He was barred from contesting the 1989 legislative elections because limitations on his civil rights were still in effect.[22] For his association with the New Nation movement, Huang was convicted of sedition by the Taiwan High Court shortly after the elections were held.[23] Subsequently, backed by the Democratic Progressive Party,[24][25] Huang Hua declared his candidacy for the presidency,[23] a symbolic move and violation of electoral law,[23][26] as the president of the Republic of China was selected by the National Assembly, not directly elected by popular vote. President Lee Teng-hui fully restored Huang's civil rights in May 1990.[27] Despite Lee's action, Huang was arrested after attending the funeral of Liu Wen-hsiung in November.[28][29] Huang was sentenced to another ten years in prison,[25] and did not appeal.[28] He was not considered for amnesty in January 1991.[26][28] His continued imprisonment was described by United States Senators Ted Kennedy, Claiborne Pell, Joe Lieberman, John Kerry, and Paul Wellstone as a "serious setback" to Taiwan's democratization in a letter to Lee Teng-hui.[30] Lin Tsung-kuang nominated Huang for the Nobel Peace Prize later that month, and a march protesting Huang's imprisonment was held in February.[30] By May, Huang had become Taiwan's final political prisoner.[26] After Huang's imprisonment came to international attention, the Legislative Yuan began discussing revisions to Article 100 [zh] of the Criminal Code [zh].[31] He remained in prison through the National Assembly elections held in December 1991.[32] After Article 100 of the Criminal Code was amended in May 1992, Huang was released.[33][34]

2019 hunger strike

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Huang at Taipei Main Station on 15 June 2019, during his hunger strike.

Huang began fasting on 19 May 2019 in support of a petition advocating Taiwan independence. He called for small political parties and other political organizations to form a coalition and replace the Kuomintang as Taiwan's second major party.[35][36] During his hunger strike, Huang's conversion to Christianity was overseen by a Presbyterian Church in Taiwan official.[37] Supporters of Huang's hunger strike included several former members of the Democratic Progressive Party, who called for a new political party advocating Taiwan independence to be established.[38] Huang ended his hunger strike after 52 days, and agreed to go to the hospital on 9 July 2019.[39]

Formal political activity

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Huang served in the presidential administration of Chen Shui-bian as a national policy adviser.[40] He also assumed the chairmanship of the Taiwan-Mongolia Exchange Association.[41][42] In 2005, he left the Democratic Progressive Party for the Taiwan Solidarity Union.[43] Upon the founding of the Taiwan National Party [zh] in July 2011, Huang served as its first chairman.[44][45] Under his leadership, the TNP nominated its founder Chang Mung-hsieh as presidential candidate for the 2012 elections,[46] and joined with other civic organizations to sue the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Special Investigation Panel.[47] Huang was succeeded by acting chairman Kao Chin-lang before Tsai Chin-lung took office in 2013.[48]

Personal life

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Huang's wife Wu Pao-yu served on the Taoyuan County Council.[25][49]

References

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  1. ^ http://tw.academiaformosa.com/content/黃華-主席 [dead link]
  2. ^ a b "Prison Report: Fourteen political prisoners transferred from Green Island" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 27: 13. October 1986. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Taiwan: Huang Hua". Index on Censorship. 13 (4): 38. 1 August 1984. doi:10.1080/03064228408533762. S2CID 220929939.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Huang Hua: profile of an imprisoned writer" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 15: 18–21. April 1984. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  5. ^ Han Cheung (24 June 2018). "Taiwan in Time: A phoenix among dragons". Taipei Times. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  6. ^ Seymour, James D. (January 1988). "Taiwan in 1987: A Year of Political Bombshells". Asian Survey. 28 (1): 71–77. doi:10.2307/2644874. JSTOR 2644874.
  7. ^ "Taiwan ends Martial Law after 38 Years but ... no dancing in the streets" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 31: 1–6. September 1987. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Huang Hua: a peaceful reformer" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 21: 2–3. August 1985. ISSN 1027-3999.
  9. ^ "Chang Chün-hung: Profile of an imprisoned editor" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 24. March 1986. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Huang Hua" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 20: 2. June 1985. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Amnesty International's statement: Special Concerns of Amnesty International" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 12: 22. June 1983. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Imprisoned Taiwanese opposition leaders on hunger strike" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 20: 2. June 1985. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Prison preport" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 18: 14. February 1985. ISSN 1027-3999.
  14. ^ "Hunger strike in prison continues" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 21: 2–3. August 1985. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  15. ^ "2 Taiwanese journalist said to conduct hunger strike". New York Times. 9 June 1985. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Prison Report: Hunger strike ends after five months" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 27. October 1985. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  17. ^ "Yang Chin-hai and Chen Ming-chung released" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 30: 21. May 1987. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  18. ^ "No appeal by political prisoners allowed" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 31: 12. September 1987. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  19. ^ "The Independence Debate Goes On" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 37: 4–5. December 1988. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Report from Washington" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 41: 15. September 1989. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  21. ^ ""New Nation Alliance" Calls for Taiwan Independence" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 42: 5–6. November 1989. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  22. ^ "Were the elections fair?" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 45: 7. January 1990. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  23. ^ a b c "Prison Report: Huang Hua Charged with "Sedition" for Advocating Independence" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 44: 18. April 1990. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  24. ^ Han Cheung (11 March 2018). "Taiwan in Time: Life after the Wild Lily". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  25. ^ a b c "Huang Hua Sentenced to Long Prison Term" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 48: 1–2. January 1991. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  26. ^ a b c Wachman, Alan (1994). Taiwan: National Identity and Democratization. M.E. Sharpe. p. 172. ISBN 9781563243981. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Prison Report: Prominent Political Prisoners Released" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 45: 16. August 1990. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  28. ^ a b c "Campaign for prisoners of the month: Taiwan" (PDF). Amnesty International. March 1991. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  29. ^ "Two well-known opposition figures arrested" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 47: 18–19. December 1990. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  30. ^ a b "International condemnation of Huang Hua's sentencing" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 49: 17–21. April 1991. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  31. ^ "Amnesty International Report". Amnesty International. 1991. p. 29. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  32. ^ Seymour, James D. (January 1992). "No "level playing field"" (PDF). Taiwan Communique. 53: 7. ISSN 1027-3999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  33. ^ "Political Prisoners Released" (PDF). Taiwan Communiqué. 55: 16. June 1992.
  34. ^ "The Amnesty International Report". Amnesty International. 1992. p. 27. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  35. ^ Pan, Jason (28 June 2019). "DPP chair to make US visit, meets Huang Hua". Taipei Times. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  36. ^ Huang, Tzu-ti (30 June 2019). "Taiwan ex-political prisoner goes on hunger strike, calls for founding of 'independent state'". Taiwan News. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  37. ^ Ko Lai (9 July 2019). "Hunger striker into 52nd day for Taiwan Independence". Taiwan News. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  38. ^ DeAeth, Duncan (5 July 2019). "Disaffected DPP members call for new 'Taiwan-first' party to 'split the vote' in 2020". Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  39. ^ "Taiwan Independence activist halts hunger strike after 52 days". Taiwan News. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  40. ^ Chuang, Chi-ting (19 March 2001). "Independence activists urge support for Chen". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  41. ^ Ho, Jessie (14 August 2003). "Mongolia attracting capital, business". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  42. ^ "Mongolian cultural official dies from heart attack during visit to Taipei". Taipei Times. 6 November 2003. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  43. ^ Huang, Jewel (20 June 2005). "TSU, DPP alliance to be tested". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  44. ^ Wang, Chris (9 July 2011). "Pro-independence supporters announce establishment of new political party". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  45. ^ Wang, Chris (11 July 2011). "Nationalists form party for Taiwan". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  46. ^ Lee, Hsin-fang (13 September 2011). "Independent Huang drops out of presidential contest". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  47. ^ "TNP, groups file suit against SIP". Taipei Times. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  48. ^ Pan, Jason (3 September 2013). "TNP calls for more civil disobedience". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  49. ^ Chang, Rich; Mo, Yan-chih; Lu, Meggie; Cole, J. Michael (4 November 2008). "Protesters say measures recall the martial law era". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 April 2018.