Earlier this year, it was reported that Taiwanese citizens presenting only their Republic of China passports are being refused entry into the United Nations Office at Geneva. But The News Lens' contributing cartoonist had a different experience with the same institution two months later.
A Taiwanese group in June attending the International Labour Conference was turned away at the Geneva UN building because the international organization would not recognize their ROC passports. Led by National Chung Cheng University Department of Labor Relations Professor Liu Huang Li-chuan (劉黃麗娟), the group was told by UNHRC staff that “Taiwan is not a country” and “Taiwan Compatriot Travel Documents” — a permit issued by Chinese authorities allowing Taiwanese to travel to China — were required along with their passports to be admitted into the building, reported Taipei Times.
The professor said she sought the assistance of UN Office at Geneva Director-General Michael Moller, who told her that nothing could be done, as “Taiwan is not following the ‘one China’ principle.” Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its office in Geneva was aware of the incident and had expressed to the UN Office at Geneva that Taiwan “could not accept the discriminatory actions.”
According to the UN Office at Geneva's website, "valid identity documents are required" to enter the building.
Two months later on Aug. 11, TNL's contributing cartoonist Stellina Chen made a visit to the same UN office and was presented with two entry options. She was told to present, along with her ROC passport, her Taiwan identification card or a "Mainland Travel Permit." Check out her experience in the cartoon below.
Editor: Olivia Yang
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