Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

It has been almost one year since the Sunflower movement began on March 18 last year. The movement has spawned numerous viewpoints and analyses regarding its significance and influence. These discussions are certain to continue for some time.

Among the many aspects of the Sunflower movement up for debate, one question frequently raised is: Who was the chief architect of the movement? To explore this issue, most lines of inquiry center on how the Sunflower movement was planned, organized and carried out. However, a more meaningful and perceptive approach is: Who lit the flame that kindled the movement?

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Department of Women’s Development director Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) was recently invited to the UN to attend a meeting organized by the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Despite providing her invitation and non-governmental organization (NGO) accreditation, security refused Lin entry, saying: “A Taiwanese passport is not valid; it is policy.”

Lin’s passport was returned and she was unable to enter the venue as the representative of a Taiwanese NGO.