Letter to Scholars at Risk

7/13/2003 1:33 PM
Subject: ATTN: Robert Quinn; Regarding the case at National Cheng Kung
UniversityTo: rquinn@midway.uchicago.edu

Mr. Robert Quinn
Scholars at Risk

12 July 2003

Dear Mr. Quinn,

Several weeks ago, National Cheng Kung University agreed to issue
retroactive contracts and an automatic revival contract for the next two
years, in belated compliance with the Ministry ruling of 8 January
2001.
Despite this partial compliance with the Ministry ruling, the
university still contests whether I am entitled to full retroactive
pay. Odd as it may sound, the university claims that since I wasn't
teaching during the four years of my appeal, I should not receive a
teaching salary, which is one-half of our annual salary. Also the
university has ignored compensatory claims, such as court costs, etc.
Finally, no sooner was my contract revived than the university
convened a meeting on my case. At this hearing, to which I wasn't
invited, the committee concluded that I had committed offenses rejected
in the Ministry appeal ruling of 8 January 2001. Such an action
resembles the Mainland Chinese challenge to final judicial rulings in
Hong Kong, now being contested by human rights groups. The difference
is, the Mainland Chinese government makes no claim to democratic
principles, while faculty at my university do.
I have already protested, and have formally appealed, this attempt
to undermine the legal benefits of a final appeal ruling. I feel
confident this latest university tactic to save face will be overturned,
at least in the long run.
But you can see how unstable due process of law is at our
university. Needless to say, no action has been taken against officials
involved in legal rights abuses during the history of my case.
Therefore, I leave it to the discretion of your institute whether to
further pursue this matter or expose issues related to my case.
For now, I wish to express my appreciation for the assistance I
received from you and your colleagues at Scholars at Risk. I would also
like to acknowledge the assistance of dedicated Chinese colleagues in
Taiwan.
Please feel free to contact me for any reason. In the meantime, I
wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Richard de Canio
Department of Foreign Languages and Literature
National Cheng Kung University
Tainan, Taiwan
(06) 237 8626