AWC celebrates five decades of standing firm for human rights. It is a good opportunity to call for a solution of the Tai Ji Men case.
by René Wadlow*
*A paper presented via video at the International Forum on World Citizenship Day 2025 “Transitional Justice Through Effective Relief: The Tai Ji Men Human Rights Case,” Taipei, April 1, 2025. See full videos of the morning session and the afternoon session of the Forum.
It is an honor to join you virtually all today as we celebrate World Citizens Day—a day that reminds us of our shared responsibility to create a world of peace, justice, and human dignity. Today, we also mark a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of the United Nations/NGO Association of World Citizens (AWC). For half a century, AWC unites and brings together world citizens from across the globe, building consensus and combining the power of individuals and organizations. It encourages them not only to address the problems in their own countries but also to shoulder their responsibilities to humanity worldwide.
AWC members, regardless of race or religion, work together to promote world peace, human rights, justice, and fairness. By connecting various tangible and intangible actions of love and peace, we not only restrain human rights violations and unjust actions but also bring light and hope to people in this turbulent world.
Protecting human rights is the cornerstone of the concept of world citizenship. For many years, AWC has been actively addressing human rights issues worldwide and urging people of conscience from all nations to speak out against human rights violations. Historically, governments have primarily used criminal charges and tax-related accusations to suppress religious freedom. A notable example is the religious persecution in Taiwan in 1996, where Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy suffered severe human rights violations that have continued for 29 years. The Tai Ji Men case highlights the government’s misuse of taxation as a tool for human rights persecution. This prompted AWC to begin focusing on the issue of “taxpayer human rights,” a critical yet often overlooked aspect of property rights violations in the two International Human Rights Covenants.
In addition to addressing the various forms of persecution faced by Tai Ji Men, AWC has recognized the alarming trend of governments using taxation as a means to violate human rights. In response, AWC, along with other organizations, launched the “Declaration on Taxpayer’s Human Rights” endorsement campaign in 2012, which has since received support from individuals in 200 countries. Members of AWC in Taiwan have participated in multiple international seminars organized by global taxpayer organizations and have actively engaged in peaceful tax reform movements in Taiwan. Scholars and experts worldwide have not only examined the fairness of tax systems through forums and publications but have also raised awareness of how taxation can be used as a tool to violate human rights. This has led to widespread international support for the endorsement of the “Declaration on Taxpayer’s Human Rights.”
The existence of government is to maintain the stability and well-being of its people. Democracy, the rule of law, and human rights are the three essential pillars that enable world citizens to live in peace. However, observations of human rights violations around the world indicate that government institutions are responsible for the majority of these abuses. Regardless of whether a country operates under an autocratic or democratic system, human rights violations by government bureaucrats typically involve both those who orchestrate such actions and those who execute them.
A government that lacks judicial fairness will ultimately deter foreign enterprises from engaging in business collaborations, which, over time, can severely hinder a nation’s overall development and the well-being of its people. We are gathered here because we believe in a future where justice prevails. The road to meaningful reform is long and arduous, but history has shown us that when people of conscience come together, change is possible. Your unwavering dedication and perseverance are the beacons of hope that will guide us toward a just and peaceful world. Let us stand firm in our convictions. Let us continue to be voices for the voiceless, defenders of the oppressed, and champions of human dignity.
Together, we will witness the dawn of a new era—an era of true justice, freedom, and peace.
René Wadlow is the President of the Association of World Citizens (AWC), an international peace organization with consultative status at the United Nations ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council), and the AWC’s Representative to the United Nations institutions in Geneva.
