Reporters Without Borders call on UN to accredit Taiwanese Journalists

Published by BBN Staff at April 11, 2019

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Posted: Thursday, April 11, 2019. 3:06 pm CST.

By BBN Staff: On April 7, 2019, Reporters without Borders (RSF) issued a statement calling on the United Nations (UN) to authorize Taiwanese journalists and media to cover UN events.

RSF urged the UN to allow Taiwanese journalists and media to cover its events, particularly the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva.

Upcoming events include the World Health General Assembly May 20 and 28 in Geneva, the 74th annual General Assembly from September 17 to 30 in New York and the 40th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly from September 24 to October 4 in Montreal, Canada.

The UN has been under pressure from China to turn down requests for press accreditation from Taiwanese nationals and media on the pretext that Taiwan and its passport are not recognised.

RSF’s Secretary General emphasized that accrediting bona fide journalists and media is not a political move and should not depend on their nationality or the geographical origin of the outlet they represent.

The island of Taiwan, over which the People’s Republic of China claims sovereignty, is the most populous state that is not a UN member with around 23 million people.

Over the past years, China has been lobbying in every possible way to isolate Taiwan on the international stage, including preventing its journalists from doing their job.

Taiwan is currently ranked 42nd out of 180, the highest in Asia, in the 2018 RSF World Press Freedom Index.

Last year, Taiwan’s President, Tsai-Ing-Wen visited Belize and pledged more assistance to Belize.

Belize and Taiwan established diplomatic ties in 1989 and have enjoyed strong bilateral relations ever since.

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