Human rights the measure of man

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) recently reiterated his promise to establish a national human rights commission (國家人權委員會) and to incorporate international human rights law into Taiwan's legal code. To achieve this, Chen has set up a human rights subcommittee and promises to put his words into action soon.

Political reform efforts in Taiwan are basically civil rights activities. Through the fight for all-round direct elections for the Legislature, the presidency and other public offices, we have successfully enhanced our civil rights. However, human rights and Taiwan's national sovereignty still need to be put into practice.

The true value of a nation is to uphold and maintain human rights. If human rights are the combination of liberty, social rights and the right to participate in government and political affairs, then Taiwan still has a long way to go. With the inauguration of the Chen administration, the mission of "alternation of political parties" (政黨輪替) has been accomplished. If the new government can further promote human rights, it will leave a significant legacy.

That a nation is for the people -- this concept was first stated in 1789 in the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" (人權宣言) by the National Assembly at the beginning of what would become the French Revolution -- as well as by the Continental Congress in the US, as it worked on what would eventually become known as the Bill of Rights. This concept has greatly inspired all modern societies.

For a long time, the people of Taiwan lived under a martial law rule that dishonored human rights. To come out of the dark, it is necessary for the new government to value human rights and to demonstrate its determination to promote it.

Our new power has been formed through the rotation between political parties. Our efforts toward democracy have been highly praised. If our image of pursuing human rights can also be stressed, we can no doubt win more support from around the world when facing the threat from the PRC.

After wasting so much of its energy dealing with the burdens left over by the old regime, Chen's government should create a new milieu as soon as possible. Human rights are the true values of the entire world, and they reflect the culture of a nation. Therefore, we should measure the government by its efforts on human rights.

Lee Min-yung is a poet and president of Taiwan Peace Foundation (台灣和平基金會).

Translated by Eddy Chang