President Tsai Ing-wen said May 6 that Taiwan has made great strides in advancing human rights protection over the past decade thanks to the efforts of the outgoing Presidential Office Human Rights Consultative Committee.
Since the HRCC was established in 2010, protecting human rights has lain at the heart of Taiwan’s government, with the committee taking a leading role in guaranteeing the fundamental values, Tsai said.
Taiwan is now widely recognized in the global community for its region-leading policies promoting gender equality; religious, press and speech freedom; and same-sex marriage alongside other key issues, she added.
The president made the remarks during the HRCC’s final meeting, which was convened by Vice President Chen Chien-jen and held at the PO in Taipei City.
According to Tsai, the committee has completed its designated mission with commendable results, for which the government and people are truly grateful.
She also announced the Control Yuan will soon inaugurate a National Human Rights Protection Commission to continue the good work of the committee.
The NHRPC will reflect the government’s decadelong commitment to upholding the Paris Principles adopted in December 1993 by the U.N. General Assembly, Tsai said.
It will be responsible for reviewing allegations of human rights abuses and discrimination, drafting and proposing the National Human Rights Report, and advising government agencies on related policymaking, she added.
Taiwan’s people must never take for granted the freedoms they enjoy, Tsai said, adding the government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the country remains a beacon of freedom, democracy and human rights in Asia. (SFC-E)