Several college presidents are calling on student protesters to end their occupation of Taiwan’s legislature.
The college presidents issued a statement on Monday calling for an end to the protests and urging the students to return to school as soon as possible. That way, they said, the students can continue their studies while they monitor the controversial trade deal between Taiwan and China.
It’s been almost three weeks since hundreds of students took over the main chamber of the legislature on March 18. The occupation is in protest of what they are calling an “undemocratic and closed-door” review of the trade in services agreement that Taiwan signed with China last June.
In the statement, the college presidents also urged the government to show leniency and take appropriate steps in handling the matter. They said it was important to factor in the spirit of freedom of speech and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Chiang Wei-ling said his ministry will not take punitive measures against the protesters. He said the Cabinet and the legislature have already responded to the students’ demands. But on Monday, a spokesman for the protesters said they have yet to decide on their next step.