Discovering the truth behind President Tsai Ing-wen’s thesis is the responsibility of intellectuals and the media. Six months ago, prosecutors sought to charge Professor Hwan C. Lin, Professor Ho De-fen, and Dr. Dennis Peng with defamation. It was the first time an acting president brought forth a lawsuit against scholars.
For two years, anyone who doubted Tsai Ing-wen’s thesis, or even questioned it, were ridiculed by the media and legally persecuted. But, aren’t government leaders in a democratic society obligated to have the authenticity of their credentials tested? Why does the opposite prevail in Taiwan? Why can a leader who has their credentials questioned forgo providing proof and can, instead, use the judicial system to suppress those that question them?
The hallmark of a dutiful scholar is how willing they are to uphold academic integrity. A desire to authenticate Tsai’s degree is a basic reaction for anyone who considers themselves part of the academic circle. However, after Tsai sought legal action against the three scholars, the public came to understand that “questioning Tsai’s degree will get you sued.” Such a precedent is an affront to academic integrity, and an insult to intellectuals everywhere.
Can Taiwan deem itself a proud democracy if its head of state is allowed to use privilege to elevate themselves their whole life, and then escape criticism when questioned? Can Taiwan say it’s the proud democracy it claims to be when judicial mechanisms are used to enact acts of academic fraud? Martial law has been abolished for decades, and yet this country still operates like a dictatorship. Today is about transitional justice in the academic realm. Transitional justice begins when we can face our mistakes. Here, justice begins when Tsai faces her own academic fraud.
Today’s press conference is about rallying the public to stand up against authoritarianism. We call on Tsai Ing-wen to do her duty as head of state and divulge the truth about her thesis. If she refuses to do so, then the other purpose of today is to reveal the evidence we have found that uncovers that truth.
It’s time the lies ended. We will hold a press conference at the Legislative Yuan tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Eat News will broadcast the entire event live: https://www.eatnews.co.uk/video/20210909-1/
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