Peter Huang

Peter Wen-shiung Huang (Chinese: 黃文雄; pinyin: Huáng Wénxióng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: N̂g Bûn-hiông, also known as Peter Ng;[1] born 2 October 1937) is a Taiwanese activist for democratization and human rights.[2]

For the music video director, see Peter Huang (director). For the Japanese writer of the same name, see Ko Bunyu.
In this Chinese name, the family name is Huang.
Peter Huang
BornOctober 2, 1937 (1937-10-02) (age 83)
Shinchiku City, Shinchiku Prefecture, Japanese-ruled Taiwan (modern-day Hsinchu)
NationalityHoklo Taiwanese
Alma materNational Chengchi University
Cornell University
OccupationPro-democracy activist
Peter Huang
Traditional Chinese黃文雄

Huang majored in journalism at the National Chengchi University in Taipei and then served in the military for two years. In 1964, he applied to the graduate program in Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh and studied there before transferring to a Ph.D. program at Cornell University in 1966.[3]

Assassination attempt

On April 24, 1970, Huang and his brother-in-law, Cheng Tzu-tsai, both members of the World United Formosans for Independence,[4] were involved in the assassination attempt of then-Vice Premier Chiang Ching-kuo (Chiang Kai-shek's son) in New York City. Huang approached Chiang with a gun at the Plaza Hotel, but a Diplomatic Security Service special agent pushed him out of the way, causing the bullet to strike the hotel's revolving doors.[3][5] The World United Formosans for Independence later issued a statement disclaiming involvement.[6] He pleaded guilty in a 1971 trial to charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm,[7] but was granted bail before sentencing, and fled the United States.[8][9] Cheng Tzu-tsai also jumped bail in 1971 after his conviction, fleeing to Sweden for asylum, but was extradited to the US in 1972,[10] sentenced in 1973 to up to five years in prison[11] and later served an additional prison term in Taiwan for illegal entry.[12]

Aftermath

Huang's action is considered a stimulus for political reform in Taiwan, which promotes the role of Taiwanese people in the political arena. He was in hiding for 25 years,[13] returning to Taiwan in 1996,[3] after Taiwan's statute of limitations had run out on further prosecution for the assassination attempt[1] as one of the last persons who had not been permitted to return to Taiwan for political reasons.[14][15] Huang was prosecuted and served four months in jail for violating the 1987 National Security Law for illegal entry, since he did not have an entry visa when he returned to Taiwan in 1996.[16]

In 1998, Huang became the director of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights. In 2000, he was appointed as National Policy Advisor to the President for human rights issues. He is also an avid supporter of the Green Party Taiwan since its founding. Huang led Amnesty International Taiwan from 2009 through 2013.[17][18] In 2012, he was given an Alumni Excellence Award by the National Chengchi University for his lifelong commitment to democracy, freedom, and social movements.[19]

Huang shouted “Let me stand up like a Taiwanese!” upon being arrested after the failed assassination attempt.[20] This phrase was referenced in the name of a song (無名英雄 Stand Up Like A Taiwanese) by rock band Fire EX., as well as repeated several times at the end of the heavy metal song “Supreme Pain for the Tyrant” by Chthonic.[21][22]

See also

References
  1. Lin, Irene (15 February 2000). "CCK's would-be assassin back in the dock". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  2. Tsai, June (18 May 2012). "Human rights activist named NCCU distinguished alumnus". Preparatory Office of the Department of International Information Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  3. Chuang, Jimmy (May 19, 2012). "Would-be Chiang Ching-kuo assassin honored by Taipei University". Want China Times. Taipei. Archived from the original on 2014-11-12. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  4. "2 Cited in Plot: Security Tight for Chiang". Spokane Daily Chronicle. UPI. April 25, 1970. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  5. "2 Taiwanese Held in Shooting". The Milwaukee Journal. UPI. April 25, 1970. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  6. "Single Pistol Shot Narrowly Misses Chiang's Son-Heir". The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. AP. April 25, 1970. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  7. "Taiwan native found guilty of trying to kill politician". The Montreal Gazette. May 19, 1971. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  8. Hsueh Huayuan (2011). "Attempt to Assassinate Chiang Chingkuo". Council for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  9. "Two Would-Be Assassins Said Now in China". Lawrence Journal-World. AP. December 29, 1971. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  10. "Drugged would-be killer extradited". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP-Reuter. September 6, 1972. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  11. "Would-Be Assassin Convicted". The Milwaukee Journal. August 9, 1973. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  12. Kuo, Patricia (February 20, 1994). "Former fugitive designs monument". Bowling Green Daily News. AP. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  13. "Taiwan welcomes would-be assassin". The Tuscaloosa News. May 7, 1996. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  14. Eckholm, Erik (13 June 2000). "Taipei Journal; Human Rights Stalwart Has an Unlikely Resume". New York Times. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  15. "Failed Assassin of Chiang Ching-kuo Receives NCCU Outstanding Alumnus Award". Kuomintang News Network. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  16. Chuang, Jimmy (19 July 2003). "Court sentences human rights icon". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  17. Loa, Iok-sin (10 January 2009). "AI Taiwan protests Gaza attacks". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  18. Keating, Jerome (20 July 2015). "Taiwan and Amnesty International". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  19. "Deputy speaker's remarks on rights activist spark ire". The Taipei Times. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  20. "The Rioter's Dictionary: F to L". Daybreak Project. July 26, 2017.
  21. Ago, Vecnain Metal • 3 Years (July 6, 2017). "Chthonic 閃靈 (Taiwanese Black/Death Metal Band) [EN/JP/SV Post]". Steemit.
  22. Sonnad, Nikhil. "The music of Taiwan's death metal star turned national politician". Quartz.
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