European parliamentarian speaks up for jailed ex-president - Main contents
Hans van Baalen, a member of the European Parliament and president of Liberal International, said Friday that jailed former President Chen Shui-bian, who is suffering from various ailments in prison, should be given better medical treatment.
Chen, who is serving a lengthy jail term of corruption, is said to have severe depression, and his supporters and human rights groups have suggested that he be released on medical parole to receive more intensive care, a move the government does not feel is yet warranted.
The problem of whether or not Chen should be released on parole for medical treatment should not be treated as a political issue, van Baalen said after visiting Chen at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, where Chen is being treated for the mental disorder.
Doctors' professional opinions should be taken as the priority guideline, and they say Chen should be provided with a better place for medical treatment, van Baalen said.
The Liberal International congress has passed a resolution calling for Taiwan's government to release Chen for medical treatment, he added, noting that he has already sent the resolution to Taiwan's Foreign Minister David Lin. Liberal International is a world federation of more than 100 liberal and progressive democratic political parties.
Van Baalen also visited Su Tseng-chang, chairman of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, the same day. During the meeting, Su thanked the European parliamentarian's backing for Chen's release on medical parole. He said there have been 15 city and county councils that have passed resolutions in favor of Chen's release. Even Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, a member of the ruling Kuomintang, voiced the same opinion, he said.
(By Kelven Su and Elizabeth Hsu)