An international review of the Republic of China’s second set of reports regarding its implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is being conducted Jan. 16 to 20 in Taipei.
Ten renowned human rights experts from around the world are engaging in in-depth discussions with ROC officials and representatives of domestic and foreign human rights groups at the Chang Yung-fa Foundation. They will examine the ROC response to the concluding observations and recommendations from the first review in 2013, and appraise its progress in human rights protection since that time.
At the opening ceremony, Vice President Chen Chien-jen expressed hope that the current review will enable the global community to better understand the ROC’s efforts and accomplishments since the two covenants were incorporated into domestic law and formally implemented in Taiwan in 2009. The goal is for the entire citizenry to enjoy democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, and for the ROC to become a benchmark for human rights in Asia, Chen said.
The two covenants, which the ROC signed in 1967, together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, make up the International Bill of Rights, defining the basic and most important standards and legal obligations for the protection of human rights worldwide. Their implementation is pertinent to every individual.
By holding the international review, the ROC is demonstrating its commitment to implementing the two covenants, as well as its proactive participation in international human rights affairs. Topics under review include labor rights, land justice, rights and interests of indigenous peoples, right to an adequate standard of living, fair trials, and freedom of speech. The review sessions are being broadcast live on a dedicated website.
For more information, see related press releases dated Jan. 11 and Jan. 16 at the Ministry of Justice website.