BILL NUMBER: SJR 3	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Ashburn

                        MARCH 16, 2009

   Relative to Taiwan.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 3, as introduced, Ashburn. Taiwan: World Health Organization
participation.
   This measure would urge President Obama and his administration to
support Taiwan in obtaining appropriate and meaningful participation
in the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, including,
but not limited to, the World Health Organization.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The preamble to the Charter of the United Nations
declares that the United Nations are determined to "reaffirm faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human
person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and
small ... ." Similarly, Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights states that "[e]veryone is entitled to all the rights
and freedoms set forth in [that] Declaration, without distinction of
any kind ... . Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis
of political, jurisdictional or international status of the country
or territory to which a person belongs ..."; and
   WHEREAS, The global issues tackled by the specialized agencies of
the United Nations system are closely connected to the well-being of
all humankind. Because Taiwan cannot attend the conferences,
mechanisms, and activities of the specialized agencies, the welfare
of its people, as well as the interests of all humankind, have been
seriously jeopardized; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan has been campaigning for participation in the
World Health Organization (WHO) for years, but has been unable to
establish direct access to, and communication with, the WHO regarding
disease prevention. In addition, Taiwan is restricted from attending
the WHO technical conferences and activities. As a result, Taiwan
can neither acquire the latest medical and health updates nor receive
timely assistance when epidemics occur, as was the case with the
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic; and
   WHEREAS, As early as May 2006, Taiwan announced its decision to
voluntarily comply with the International Health Regulations that
took effect on June 15, 2007. Although Taiwan has repeatedly
submitted updates to the WHO about various diseases, the WHO has
never responded. This has been detrimental to the health rights of
the 23 million people of Taiwan and the foreigners residing or
traveling in Taiwan. It also creates a weak spot in the global
epidemic surveillance network that will harm the international
community; and
   WHEREAS, Being the world's 18th largest economy and 20th largest
outbound investor, Taiwan possesses significant economic strength.
Taiwan hopes to share its development experiences with many
developing countries. Taiwan is also willing to give back to the
world through humanitarian assistance and technical cooperation; and
   WHEREAS, The issues that the specialized agencies of the United
Nations system handle tend to be functional and technical in nature.
Therefore, allowing Taiwan's participation would help the two sides
of the Taiwan Strait to set aside differences and strengthen
cooperation on issues of mutual concern, thereby reducing friction
gradually and promoting stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific
region; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of
California, jointly, That the California Legislature urges President
Obama and his administration to support Taiwan and its 23 million
people in obtaining appropriate and meaningful participation in the
specialized agencies of the United Nations system, including, but not
limited to, the World Health Organization (WHO); and be it further
   Resolved, That the California Legislature urges that the United
States' foreign policy should include the pursuit of some initiative
in the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, including,
but not limited to, the WHO that would allow Taiwan to participate in
a meaningful manner that is consistent with the agencies'
requirements, such as an observer of the WHO; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this
resolution to the President of the United States, the United States
Secretary of State, the United States Secretary of Health and Human
Services, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the government
of Taiwan, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.