Declaration of the International Day Against Judicial and Tax Persecution by State Power

Preamble

Sovereign power rests with the people, and a government is entrusted by its people to serve them and promote the common welfare. However, throughout history, human rights violations have often been committed by governments. Those in power who are driven by greed, pursuing personal ambition for power, wealth, and fame, or who lack the courage to implement the right decisions and policies that will benefit the people, allow unscrupulous officials to break the law and abuse their authority. Such officials often use the judiciary and taxation as tools to discriminate against and persecute individuals or groups based on race, culture, religion, or belief. This includes depriving these individuals or groups of their rights to personal freedom and/or freedom of religion, belief, and thought, as well as their property rights, right to life, and right to survival. The degree and scope of the harm to individuals and society are comparable to those caused by war and torture. Therefore, the ECOSOC-accredited NGO Association of World Citizens and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy designate December 19 as the “International Day Against Judicial and Tax Persecution by State Power” and issue the “Declaration of the International Day Against Judicial and Tax Persecution by State Power.” Heads of state and regular global citizens alike should cooperate to supervise governmental activities, ensuring that human rights are protected through respect, tolerance, and peaceful dialogue and that effective rule of law systems benefiting the public and the environment are established to create a harmonious and stable world. 

Declaration

The preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the basis of freedom, justice, and peace in the world is the acknowledgement of the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of every member of the human family. It also recognizes that the highest aspiration of the average person is the realization of a world in which everyone has the right to freedom of speech, thought, and religion or belief, as well as the freedom from fear and want.

The exercise of public power should be centered on the protection of human rights, human dignity, and personality development, and government officials should act in accordance with their consciences to protect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and follow due process in their operations to prevent people from being persecuted under unfair and unjust circumstances.

The judiciary is the last line of defense to safeguard justice and protect human rights. All countries must follow the principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights covenants. Judicial authorities should apply their conscience to conduct fair and impartial trials, and the people should have access to effective legal remedies to protect their fundamental human rights. The judiciary must be impartial and independent and must not be used by governments or law enforcement personnel as a tool to target, persecute, or discriminate against individuals or groups.

Taxation directly affects people’s property rights and right to life, which are fundamental rights, as well as their dignity. A nation’s tax policies and practices, including tax collection, relief, and enforcement, should be based on human rights protection, and they should be lawful, rigorously adhere to due process, and conform to the principles of proportionality and equality. Relevant government officials should not abuse their power, illegally take people’s property, or violate personal freedom in the name of tax collection. It is strictly prohibited for governments and law enforcement agents to use taxes as a tool to target or discriminate against specific people or groups.

We urge the international community to pay special attention to and forbid judicial and tax persecution by public authorities out of respect for conscience and the preservation of human dignity. Accountability for civil servants who abuse their authority and violate the law should be established, and the effectiveness of remedial measures and international monitoring mechanisms should be strengthened. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights should be implemented to fortify the foundation of freedom, justice, security, and peace in the world, uphold the basic dignity of humanity, promote the development of a sound human society, and enhance the well-being of all people.

January 31st, 2023