EU media groups pressure UN to lift Taiwan press ban

European media organisations are stepping up their pressureon the UN to lift a ban on Taiwanese journalists covering the World HealthOrganisation.

The ban was imposed because Taiwan is not a member of theWHO but several MEPs, including Edward McMillan-Scott, Graham Watson, JoseRibeiro and Jules Maaten have already called for the restriction on itsjournalists to be revoked.

McMillan-Scott has even suggested that it is China, not Taiwan, which should be excludedfrom organisations such as the UN because of its record on human rights.

Now two Brussels-based media organizations have backed thedemands that the ban is lifted in time for the World Health Assembly meeting inGeneva (19-24May).

The meeting is the annual gathering of health ministers,NGOs and media from the EU and around the world. In the past, it has discussedmajor international health outbreaks such as SARS and avian flu.

The two media organizations involved are the InternationalFederation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Belgian section of the Association ofEuropean Journalists (AEJ).

They are due to meet to discuss the ban with MEPs on May 6at the European commission’s office in Belgium.

This Saturday, May 3rd, has been designated by the UN as world press freedom day.

Peter Kramer, secretary general of the AEJ, said, “We andmany others are  appealing to the EU tourge the UN to lift the ban.

“This ban is inspired by China which is blocking Taiwanesejournalists from fulfilling what should be a basic right to report on aninternational event.

“I think most right-minded people would agree that politicalconsiderations should not get in the way of that.

“The ban is totally without justification and should belifted immediately in order for journalists and media organizations from Taiwanto cover this year’s WHA.”

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