In the complex landscape of religious freedom and administrative justice, the Tai Ji Men case stands as a profound example of systemic discrimination and persistent bureaucratic overreach. Founded in 1966, Tai Ji Men is a qigong, martial arts, and self-cultivation school led by Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, recognized internationally as cultural ambassadors who have conducted cultural exchanges in 113 countries and participated in numerous humanitarian initiatives.
The case originated in 1996 during a politically charged crackdown against spiritual movements in Taiwan, when Tai Ji Men’s academies were raided, and its Grand Master, Dr. Hong, along with his wife and two disciples, were detained. Despite a comprehensive judicial process that ultimately resulted in a complete acquittal by the Supreme Court on July 13, 2007, which declared them innocent of all criminal charges and confirmed no tax evasion occurred, the National Taxation Bureau (NTB) has continued to pursue punitive tax measures.
According to the written we statement submitted to the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the taxation harassment represents a systematic violation of religious freedom. The NTB has persistently maintained tax bills for the year 1992, despite multiple court rulings and administrative recommendations to cancel them. This includes an unprecedented action in August 2020, where land belonging to Dr. Hong was auctioned and subsequently nationalized—a property intended to serve as a center for self-cultivation and education.
International experts, including Professor Hsu Jung-Hsin from National Dong Hwa University, have metaphorically described this ongoing issue as requiring a “vaccination against tax injustice.” The case has attracted significant international attention, with human rights organizations submitting the matter to the UN Human Rights Council eleven times, emphasizing the broader implications for religious minorities facing administrative persecution.
We urges global vigilance, arguing that taxes should never be weaponized to target innocent citizens or suppress religious and cultural practices. The Tai Ji Men case exemplifies how bureaucratic mécanismes can be manipulated to marginalize and harass spiritual communities that do not align with prevailing political narratives.
