Taipei should be aiming to have comprehensive engagement with the international community on human rights issues to enhance progress in Taiwan’s efforts in rights matters, National Human Rights Commission Chairwoman Chen Chu (陳菊) said yesterday at the opening of a rights forum.
This year’s edition of the commission’s Human Rights Thematic Forum began yesterday at the Chang Yung-fa Foundation’s International Convention Center in Taipei and was attended by local and international experts, discussing a wide range of topics including the rights of an aging population, national human rights institutions and how government agencies can collaborate with civic groups.
Chen said that the region’s Asia-Pacific Forum greatly assisted the commission’s establishment and significantly helped with two online sessions after it was created.
Photo: Yang Cheng-yu, Taipei Times
Since its establishment in 2020, the commission has undergone five review processes regarding Taiwan’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Chen said.
The commission has held 78 events similar to yesterday’s forum, and has interacted with more than 452 local groups on a variety of rights issues, she added.
“We must hear the voices and opinions from all sectors, and such opinions must be accorded their due respect,” Chen said.
The commission’s primary job is to bridge civic groups and the government, and ensure that Taipei can present practical policies that respond to the appeals of civic groups, she added.
Citing the UN’s 1991 Principle for Older Persons, Chen said the commission is aware that the rights of an aging population are a responsibility the government must shoulder as the percentage of the population that is older than age 65 increases rapidly.
The commission “does not represent the government,” and it aspires to become the nation’s conscience and an entity disadvantaged Taiwanese can count on, she said.
Regarding Taiwan Association for Human Rights Director-General Shih Yi-hsiang’s (施逸翔) concerns that the government was “indirectly discriminating” against people with COVID-19 by prohibiting them from voting in today’s elections, Chen said she would discuss the matter with government officials.
Shih said that while public health is an important issue, the Executive Yuan should explain its decision when voting accommodations could have been made.
The government must consider how to handle unexpected situations where human rights are suppressed, he added.
Additional reporting by Yang Cheng-yu
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