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S.J.R. 5
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9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the Obama Administration to support the
12 efforts of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to meaningfully participate in the specialized
13 agencies of the United Nations.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . urges the Obama Administration to support the Republic of China (Taiwan) in
17 obtaining appropriate and meaningful participation in the specialized agencies of the
18 United Nations system, including the World Health Organization.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
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22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 WHEREAS, the mission of the United Nations, as stated in the preamble to the United
24 Nations Charter, is to "reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of
25 the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small";
26 WHEREAS, similarly, Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states,
27 "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms . . . , without distinction of any kind . . .
28 no distinction shall be made on the basis of political, jurisdictional or international status of the
29 country or territory to which a person belongs . . . ";
30 WHEREAS, the global issues addressed by the specialized agencies of the United
31 Nations are closely connected to the well-being of all mankind;
32 WHEREAS, as Taiwan cannot attend the conferences, mechanisms, and activities of
33 the specialized agencies, the welfare of its people, as well as the interests of all humankind,
34 have been seriously jeopardized;
35 WHEREAS, Taiwan has been campaigning for participation in the World Health
36 Organization (WHO) for years, but has been unable to establish direct access to and
37 communication with the WHO regarding disease prevention;
38 WHEREAS, Taiwan is restricted from attending WHO technical conferences and
39 activities and as a result Taiwan can neither acquire the latest medical and health updates nor
40 receive timely assistance when epidemics occur, as was the case with the SARS outbreak;
41 WHEREAS, as early as May 2006, Taiwan announced its decision to comply
42 voluntarily with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) that went into effect June 15,
43 2007;
44 WHEREAS, although Taiwan has repeatedly submitted updates to the WHO about
45 various diseases, the WHO has not responded;
46 WHEREAS, this has been detrimental to the health rights of the 23 million people of
47 Taiwan and foreigners residing in and traveling to Taiwan;
48 WHEREAS, it also creates a weakness in the global epidemic surveillance network
49 which can harm the international community;
50 WHEREAS, being the world's 18th largest economy and the 20th largest outbound
51 investor, Taiwan possesses significant economic strength;
52 WHEREAS, Taiwan hopes to share its development experience with many developing
53 nations;
54 WHEREAS, Taiwan is also willing to give back to the world through humanitarian
55 assistance and technical cooperation;
56 WHEREAS, the issues that the specialized agencies of the United Nations system
57 handle tend to be functional and technical in nature; and
58 WHEREAS, allowing Taiwan's participation with these specialized agencies would be
59 helpful for the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to set aside differences and strengthen
60 cooperation on issues of mutual concern, thereby gradually reducing friction and promoting
61 stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region:
62 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
63 urges the Obama Administration to support Taiwan and its 23 million people in obtaining
64 appropriate and meaningful participation in the specialized agencies of the United Nations
65 system, including the World Health Organization.
66 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges that United States policy
67 include the pursuit of an initiative in the specialized agencies of the United States system, such
68 as the World Health Organization, which would give Taiwan meaningful participation in a
69 manner that is consistent with the respective organization's requirements.
70 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
71 the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health and Human
72 Services, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States
73 House of Representatives, the members of Utah's congressional delegation, the Government of
74 Taiwan, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.
Legislative Review Note
as of 1-29-09 11:59 AM