American - Taiwanese Human Right Activist -
Lynn Miles passed away

Lynn Miles in 2011 (File photo from CNA)

Lynn Miles, a well-respected human rights and social activist who fought for Taiwan’s democracy, passed away on June 8, 2015 in Taipei.

The 72-year-old professor, who taught at Fu Jen Catholic University, is also known by his Chinese name 梅心怡.

He supported Taiwan’s democracy through establishing the International Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Taiwan. The committee smuggled information on political prisoners out of Taiwan. Miles wrote reports on the political situation and the prisoners, then provided them to Amnesty International and other human rights groups and journalists.

Among his final words to Taiwanese:“ I have only a few words for the Taiwanese. Be proud of your identity as a Taiwanese. Be proud of your history. Taiwan evolved quickly from an authoritarian country to a democracy country. Respect the new immigrants from Southeast Asian countries. Get to know their cultures and befriend them. The majority of Taiwanese still hold prejudice towards the Southeast Asians. I respect and love Taiwan, it’s a beautiful island. However, many Taiwanese do not respect their island’s nature. They need to be more aware of their environment. Taiwan deserves to be cleaner. Finally, I hope more resources are put into education, nurturing the new generation the ability to understand the past and look beyond the future.”