Petition to preserve LoSheng Sanatorium

We are writing this letter to express our deeply concern about the decision you made to evict the Lo-Sheng Sanatorium. Sir, as the chief of Taiwanese government, recently your prior concern toward the MRT construction project over the human and cultural rights in the controversial issue of Lo-sheng, is truly unjust and unacceptable to us. In this crucial time of the forced eviction toward Lo-sheng, we want to express our anger and sadness at your decision to the Human Rights Council, and Economic and Social Council of United Nations. We will carry this crisis of human rights violation to the Bureau of Democracy, Human Right and Labor, in the United States of America as well.

Through the twentieth century, people suffering from Leprosy all around the world have been forced to separat from society, leaving their dear families and friends, spending their whole lives in an isolated sanatorium. In fact, in some cases, the whole family line of a Leprosy patient breaks down, even if the only child suffered from Leprosy. Nowadays, many Leprosy sanatoriums, since their lands are becoming valuable, have proposals for development in their homeland. What is outrageous is that most of these development projects are not concerned about the ethical and human rights of Leprosy patientseven though these issues are indeed crucial in dislocation cases.

Now, these leprosy sanatoriums' historical and cultural value is recognized worldwide. They are the real treasures of our time. Many countries now not only compensate, but also try very hardl to protect the property rights of those Leprosy patients, including their house and living space. This is because these governments, such as those of America, Japan, and England have realized the old policy of segregation is completely wrong and inhuman. This realization brings a creative synergy to open a new life of these sanatorium facilities, and make them beneficial to the entire society. The preservation of Leprosy history is indeed the preservation of the countrys history, as well as the peoples lifestyle in the land. (please see attachment for examples of some of these).

Since the anti-Leprosy movement is still a great issue in Asia and the whole world. In January 2008, one international conference of Leprosy is going to open in India. This conference is held by international NGOs concerning about Leprosy issue for a long time. And the next International Leprosy Congress is going to open in Hyderabad. The residents of Lo- Sheng have been invited to as designated representatives to serve on the five-member panel in the 2008 conference, and they will lead the discussion. We fervently hope that the Taiwanese government and people can recognize that Lo-Shengs residents are truly national treasures.

Although having suffered from Leprosy for their whole lives, the residents of Lo-sheng never stop teaching us the spirit of fighting against the distress of life. Their lives have undergone separation from society and family, yet there is no revenge or hatred in them. The simply request that their history of tears can be remembered, and they can remain living in their own home, till their very last breath.

We hope that we can work together to save this important aspect of medical and human rights in Taiwan's history. Let this to be remembered as a moment of justice and humanity, not as force or violence. We firmly oppose the eviction of these elders who have sacrificed their families and lives for years and years, just for ensuring and guarding the safety of our society. Their story is our story. None of us can deny it.

We sincerely look forward to your fair response and solution.