「沒錢沒身份」行動聯盟

30 September 2007

Stop discrimination and unjust treatment of immigrant brides

Abolish the minimum financial requirements for immigrant brides in Taiwan

Delegates of the International Conference on Border control and Empowerment of Immigrant Brides including women and migrant’s organizations and institutions in different countries declare our support to the campaign against the new policy in Taiwan that imposes a NTD400,000 minimum financial requirement for immigrant brides to qualify for citizenship.

The policy is unjust, discriminatory and violates the basic human rights of immigrant brides.

The imposition of this unjust financial requirement exposes immigrant brides to graver financial burdens, potentially exploitative situation, and the risk of separation and breakup of the family.

Aside from this policy, a proposal that obliges foreign spouses, who have been in the country for a certain period of time, to meet health examinations requirements in order to obtain naturalization is also in the offing.

We also deplore the lie that Taiwan authorities are peddling with regards to the existence of similar policies in countries with immigrant brides. It is shameful that they have to resort to misinformation to make legitimate an unjust and unreasonable action.

These rules in Taiwan violate fundamental rights of women, migrants and immigrants enshrined even in instituted international agreements. It is deplorable that while the Taiwan government is pushing for its recognition to United Nations, it cannot even uphold some of the most basic human rights of the people who have also contributed much to the Taiwan economy.

We demand that these policies be scrapped. We also urge governments of home countries of foreign brides to lobby the UN and other relevant intergovernmental agencies to investigate this issue and conduct appropriate actions.

The experiences of immigrant brides in Taiwan are replicated in other countries that also have significant presence of immigrant brides.

The ongoing conference has already revealed similarities on the ever-tightening restrictions that host countries impose to immigrant women married to local husbands. These restrictions are becoming even more unjust and discriminatory as these totally disregard the rights of women in the economic, political, cultural and social spheres.

Additionally, the conference has shown that upholding the rights and wellbeing of immigrant women also entails addressing the causes that have forced many women into transnational marriages and makes them vulnerable to abuses and violence.

As the conference will soon come to an end, a platform of actions will be formulated to address the concerns of immigrant brides.

The unjust policies of Taiwan on immigrant brides will face the united and coordinated opposition from organizations of immigrant brides, migrant workers and local groups in Taiwan as well as those in other countries.

We will not standby as immigrant brides are demeaned, discriminated, violated and unjustly treated. We will work together for the genuine empowerment of immigrant brides towards a stronger movement for their rights and wellbeing.

Signatories

Aaron Ceradoy, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants

Andy Yentriyani, Asia Pacific Women Forum on Law and Development, Indonesia
Butch Pongos, MIGRANTE Japan/Filipino Migrante Centre, Japan

Connie Regalado, Migrante-International, Philippines

Cynthia Ca-Abdon Tellez, Mission for Migrant Workers, Hong Kong

Dolores Dayao, Mission for Migrant Workers, Hong Kong

Dolores Balldares, United Filipinos in Hong Kong

Dwight de la Torre, HK Philippine Independent Church, Hong Kong

Emi de Jesus, GABRIELA, Philippines
Eni Lestari, Asosiasi Tenaka Kerja Indonesia (ATKI), Indonesia

Evelyn Calugay, The Filipino Women's Organization in Quebec, Canada
Jane Brock, Immigrant Women's Speakout Association, Australia

Jiyoung LeeAn, Asian Regional Exchange for New Alternatives, South Korea

Kim Young-Rim, The Human Rights Solidarity for Women Migrants in Korea, Korea

Laramie Castillo, Migrante-International, Philippines
Le Van Hai, Institute for Reproduictive and Family Health, Vietnam
Lee Hea-Yeong,  The Human Rights Solidarity for Women Migrants in Korea, Korea

Lee In Kyoung, The Human Rights Solidarity for Women and Migrants in Korea, Korea
Lee Soo Choo, TENAGANITA, Malaysia
Nobue Suzuki, Center for Japanese Filipino Family, Japan
Ramon Bultron, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants
Ratchaneeporn Kung, Thai Regional Alliance, Thailand
Victoria Cabantac, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants

Virgie Ishihara, FICAP/FMC, Japan
Yeo Gyeong-Soon, The Human Rights Solidarity for Women Migrants in Korea, Korea

Jackie Hung Justice & Peace Commission of the HK Catholic Diocese, Hong Kong