TAIPEI: The Taiwanese government announced plans to seek a court order to disband the pro-unification Chinese Unification Promotion Party (CUPP), citing concerns over national security and organized crime. The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) stated that its Political Party Review Committee had approved a resolution to dissolve the party, securing the necessary two-thirds vote after CUPP leadership was invited to present a defense.
According to Focus Taiwan, the MOI accused the New Taipei-based CUPP of being involved in organized crime and having core members who have repeatedly violated several national laws, including the National Security Act, Anti-Infiltration Act, Cross-Strait Act, and election laws. These actions, the ministry said, pose a threat to national security, social stability, and the integrity of fair elections in Taiwan.
The MOI emphasized that while it respects the political stances outlined in CUPP's charter and platform, it cannot overlook the party members' repeated national security violations and acts of violence. The ministry highlighted the party's alleged "links to foreign forces" and claimed that the CUPP uses its political party status as a cover for organized crime, actions that contravene Taiwan's Constitution and laws. Notably, the CUPP does not currently hold any seats in Taiwan's Legislature or local councils.
Taiwan's Constitution allows for the dissolution of political parties whose activities threaten the nation's existence or undermine its free and democratic constitutional order. Despite this provision, the MOI acknowledged that its request to disband the CUPP might be complicated by an ongoing political dispute regarding Constitutional Court vacancies and reform legislation, which has created uncertainty around the court's operations.
The MOI stated that it would submit the request to dissolve the CUPP once the court's situation allows, reiterating its commitment to upholding national security and constitutional order.