CALD Resolution No. 6 S. 2014

CALD Resolution No. 6 S. 2014

CALD resolution expressing its support to the increasing public clamor against the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in Taiwan

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD):

Recalling the CALD Statement on Climate Change in 2012 which supports the development of “alternative energy sources with encouragement of investment.. in bio-energy plants, and others such as solar and wind energy”;

Noting that the Statement veered away from nuclear energy as an alternative energy source due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, which highlights the issues surrounding the safety of nuclear power plants;

Aware that the nuclear power issue has been a major environmental concern in Taiwan in the past years, particularly in relation to the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant;

Mindful that opposition to the construction of a new nuclear power plant has already turned into a broad social movement that includes local communities, social movement activists, urban intellectuals and party politicians;

Aware that Lin Yi-hsiung, a well-respected political figure and and long-term anti- nuclear activist, has recently commenced an indefinite hunger strike to protest the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant;

Hereby:

Encourages the development of alternative forms of energy, other than nuclear power, taking into consideration what took place in Fukushima and in other similar nuclear disasters;

Expresses concern regarding the safety repercussions of nuclear power plants, especially in earthquake-prone countries like Taiwan;

Urges the Taiwanese government to look into the safety standards of three existing nuclear facilities, and to consider immediate decommissioning should the standards not be met;

Supports the move of the Democratic Progressive Party to enact a special law authorizing a referendum on the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, together with a special referendum legislation that requires a simple majority instead of the current high threshold;

Urges the Taiwanese government to halt all activities relating to the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant until after the results of the referendum become known; and

Believes that since the issue of nuclear energy is increasingly becoming a regional concern, countries in Asia should seriously consider alternative energy policies that not only meet development needs but also take into account public safety and welfare, as well as environmental sustainability.

For the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats:

Oyun Sanjaasuren

Chairperson

24 April 2014

Final CALD Resolution 6, S. 2014

Categorised in: Resolutions

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