AIT RECEIVES ASYLUM REQUEST FROM PRC NATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 000561 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/A, INR/IC, P, DRL/MLGA, L/HRR, CA/VO, DS/CI, EAP/TC E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2033 TAGS: PREF PREL CVIS ASEC PGOV PINR PHUM TW CH SUBJECT: AIT RECEIVES ASYLUM REQUEST FROM PRC NATIONAL REF: 2007 STATE 54846 Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young, Reason(s): 1.4 (B/D). ¶1. (C) On April 2, PRC citizen Cai Lujun sent an email to AIT's American Corner library in Taichung, requesting political asylum or refugee status in the U.S. The email was forwarded to the AIT political section on April 7. ¶2. (C) In his email, Cai claimed he was imprisoned in the PRC for three years for publishing materials critical of the CCP leadership. Cai also claimed that PRC authorities harassed him after his release from prison in March 2006. Cai stated that he had entered Taiwan in July 2007, that he had been arrested and detained 135 days for immigration violations, and was released on December 17, 2007. Cai complained that the temporary stay permit issued to him by Taiwan immigration authorities forbade him from working, and that he was in dire financial straits. ¶3. (C) AIT contacted the National Immigration Agency (NIA) on April 11 to inquire about Cai's case. NIA replied on April 15, confirming that Cai had been jailed in the PRC for three years. NIA also confirmed that Cai had entered Taiwan illegally in July 2007, had been detained, and finally released in mid-December 2007. According to NIA, Cai was issued a three-GQQths in March ¶2008. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) is monitoring Cai's case, and MOFA's Taiwan Overseas Offices are helping Cai file asylum petitions with third countries. When AIT mentioned Cai's alleged financial difficulties, the NIA officer stated that MAC might be able to provide him with financial assistance to defray his living expenses. ¶4. (C) AIT's April 16 reply to Cai noted that the Taiwan authorities had granted Cai temporary permission to remain in Taiwan, and were actively assisting his efforts to seek asylum elsewhere. AIT also indicated that Cai might be able to obtain financial assistance from MAC. AIT noted that Taiwan has well-established and reliable mechanisms to assist asylum seekers and to protect their rights. AIT recommended to Cai that he continue to cooperate with the Taiwan authorities to seek legal residence in a third country, and that he also seek assistance through the UNHCR office in Bangkok. (Note: Taiwan does not have a refugee or asylum law. End note.) ¶5. (C) On April 17, AIT received Cai's response. Cai alleged that because Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, a petition filed by Taiwan with UNHCR was unlikely to have any effect. Cai further alleged that he did not have a passport of any kind, that the PRC would not issue him one, and therefore he was unable to travel to Bangkok or any other destination outside Taiwan. Cai reiterated his claims of incarceration and abuse in the PRC, and his demand for asylum or refugee status in the U.S. Cai also urged AIT to persuade the Taiwan authorities to allow him to work. Cai claimed "several years of experience in international trade," which he could use to support himself. ¶6. (C) AIT does not have the following information: Cai's date and place of birth, occupation, passport number, political party affiliation, or prior government office. AIT has not requested to meet with Cai, to avoid interfering in Taiwan's ongoing efforts to assist him. Cai's case does not appear to be time-sensitive and he is in little danger of being forcibly repatriated. AIT is aware of five PRC nationals currently in Taiwan seeking asylum in a third country -- some of them have been in Taiwan for several years. The Taiwan government regularly extends their temporary stay permits, and provides limited financial aid. We have no reason to believe that Cai will be treated TAIPEI 00000561 002 OF 002 differently. ¶7. (C) ACTION REQUEST: At this point, we are not planning to take further action on this case, based on USG standard operating guidelines (2 FAM 229.2, 229.3, reftel par. 36). Please advise if the Department has further guidance. YOUNG