A total of 62 pledges aimed at combating corruption, promoting human rights and resisting authoritarianism were released Jan. 11 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of Taiwan’s commitment to advancing the objectives of the Summit for Democracy hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.
Such measures include supporting passage of the Whistleblower Protection Act by the Legislature, concluding more bilateral anti-corruption agreements with the country’s like-minded partners and continuing participation in the U.S.-based Open Government Partnership, the MOFA said.
According to the ministry, Taiwan places a premium on countering disinformation, enhancing civic participation and religious freedom, and resisting authoritarianism. This is evidenced by the implementation of the country’s anti-infiltration law, commitment to the second iteration of the Civil Society Dialogue on Securing Religious Freedom in the Indo-Pacific, and supporting Lithuania in countering China’s economic and political coercion, the MOFA said.
Other focuses include advancing human rights, particularly in the areas of gender and race equity, as well as strengthening legal protections for the physically challenged and workers, the ministry said. In addition, the government will spare no effort in fast-tracking the development of indigenous languages, regulatory changes for the LGBTQI community, and ensuring the inclusion of environmental and labor standards in future trade pacts, the MOFA added.
Taiwan is committed to working with fellow force for good the U.S. on the basis of shared values such as freedom, democracy and respect for human rights via multilateral platforms, the ministry said. These encompass the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, as well as the Consultations on Democratic Governance in the Indo-Pacific Region the MOFA added. (YCH-E)
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