On April 15, Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che returned to Taiwan after spending five years in Chinese prison for supposedly subverting China’s state power. After undergoing Taiwan’s mandatory COVID-19 quarantine, Lee and his wife Lee Ching-yu called a press conference on Wednesday.
In mid-April, Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che returned home after being detained in China for over five years. After undergoing COVID quarantine, he called a press conference alongside his wife Lee Ching-yu to talk about his experiences.
Lee disappeared in March 2017 when he entered China from Macau. In September of that year a show trial was arranged for him, at which he pleaded guilty to charges of “subverting state power”. His wife and associates claimed that the confession was forced.
At the press conference, the couple thanked the former Chairman of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party Shih Ming-teh and his wife for their help and guidance which led to Lee’s release. Lee said that without Shih’s help he would not be able to tell his story. He said Chairman Shih found a way to prioritize the jailed activist’s life and safety without compromising Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Lee said that Chinese authorities were trying to frame him as a spy, but he never admitted guilt on that charge. Lee also said he and his wife have no political ambitions and wish only to return to their old jobs and keep caring for and supporting each other.
Holding back tears, Lee Ching-yu said that was her last press conference and she was happy about it. She also shared the principles upon which she fought for Lee’s release, formulated by DPP’s former Chairman Shih, in hopes they might be of help to future international humanitarian efforts. These include not begging the persecutors for mercy, upholding national sovereignty, protecting the dignity and honor of the persecution victim and ensuring their safety by making the efforts as public as possible.
Tomasz Koper, RTI News