NHRC Chairperson Chen Chu and all commissioners had a video meeting with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) of the United Kingdom at 5:00 p.m. on April 20. At the end of the meeting, Chen Chu said that she hoped the COVID-19 pandemic could be relieved soon and invited EHRC members to attend an international human rights conference in Taiwan in November this year.
In her speech, Chen Chu expressed her gratitude to EHRC for helping Taiwan better understand its operations. She eagerly hoped to exchange opinions with EHRC in another day and to remind each other of what needs to be done in the pursuit of human rights.
Alastair Pringle, Interim Chief Executive and commissioner of EHRC, expressed his gratitude for the invitation and his hope to meet in November. During the video conference, Taiwan human rights commissioners asked quite a few questions. He said he hoped to keep in touch after the meeting and that he would be available for any questions. Although resources are limited, he believes that through global networks, everyone can do a better job in human rights.
This is the first time since the establishment of NHRC that it had a video session with the EHRC in the UK. Chen Chu pointed out that NHRC was established on August 1 last year, representing Taiwan's concrete commitment to follow international human rights standards. It also symbolizes Taiwan's determination to continuously pursue democracy and human rights. Chen also said that it has been 8 months since NHRC's establishment and that there is a lot to learn.
Chen Chu said that today, human rights are universal values, which is the result of generations of struggles and efforts. Britain was the first country to develop freedom and democracy, and it has had a profound impact on the world.
Regarding human rights in Taiwan, Chen Chu said that from the end of authoritarian rule to the establishment of the NHRC, they've seen the result of decades of efforts by many activists who fearlessly fought for human rights. The process also involved a lot of rescue and assistance from overseas.
Chen Chu stressed that Taiwan is happy to work with governments around the world and civil society to ensure the protection and realization of human rights. Chen believes that only in this way can human society develop peacefully and sustainably.
Strong foundation! The EHRC was established in 2007 as an integration of three human rights organizations
At 10:00 a.m. UK time, aside from Alastair Pringle, Interim Chief Executive and commissioner of the EHRC, the video conference was also joined by Laura Mingins, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Neil Martin, Senior Associate of Inquiries and Intelligence, Joanna Gregson, Head of Enforcement, and Matthew Blow, Senior Associate of Human Rights Monitoring, from London.
In addition, John Dennis, representative of the British Office Taipei who was newly appointed last December, and Mark Fletcher, Head of the Political Section at the British Office Taipei, also attended the video conference after meeting with Chen Chu.
Pringle began by congratulating NHRC on its establishment, saying that it was a remarkable achievement at such a difficult time. He highlighted that the EHRC was established in 2007 under the Equality Act 2006, integrating the existing Commission for Racial Equality, the Commission for the Rights of People with Disabilities and the Equal Opportunities Commission, as an independent public entity with an annual budget of about £17 million and a staff of approximately 170 members.
In 2009, the EHRC was accredited by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) as an A-status national human rights institution that is fully compliant with the Paris Principles.
Pringle said that this assessment is conducted every five years and that originally it would be assessed again this year, but it was postponed to next year due to the pandemic. Pringle was confident, however, that EHRC will still be A-status, which is crucial because it relates to the right of speech in the UN.
John Dennis, the British representative in Taiwan, said that no countries or governments could work alone on human rights, and they needed to collaborate with the media and other organizations. He believes that Taiwan NHRC and UK EHRC can continue to deepen human rights on the same basis. Through this video conference, both sides seek further cooperation to enhance human rights in Taiwan and the UK.
The EHRC is committed to improving discrimination and has investigated the discrimination against Jews by the Labour Party and the BBC's different pay for equal work between men and women.
In Taiwan, in addition to chairperson Chen Chu and deputy chairperson Kao Yung Cheng, the participants of the meeting also included human rights commissioners Upay Radiw Kanasaw, Wang, Jung-Chang, Wang Yu-Ling, TIEN, CHIU-CHIN, HSIAO, Tzu-Yu, CHANG, CHU-FANG, Chi, Hui-Jung, YEH, TA-HUA, and human rights consultants who have studied in the UK, such as Professor Yean-Sen TENG and Professor Fort Fu-Te Liao.
During the EHRC's presentation, it is highlighted that the involvement of individuals or companies in NHRC's investigation, which used to be a topic of controversy in Taiwan, has been a long-standing and important task for EHRC.
Joanna Gregson, head of enforcement of EHRC, highlighted two key investigations. One is on the issue of different pay for equal work between men and women at the BBC, an important public media, which has taken 18 months. BBC has made improvements in recent years.
The other is on the British Labour Party. "We found that the Labour Party did not comply with the equality law, and there has been discrimination against Jews. This case has also taken 18 months. The Labour Party also continues to improve. Both cases have been very successful," Gregson said.
Gregson stated that investigation takes time, and the NHRC in Taiwan will have its own investigation, which can be an important force for change.
She stressed that most companies, for the sake of reputation and corporate image, would be willing to cooperate with the investigation and drive improvements. An action plan typically takes about 1 to 3 years, and some improvements are implemented through guidance and seminars, which are the fastest ways.
Laura Mingins, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, said that strengthening communications with the government sector and society is a very important task. Organizations should also educate the public about international human rights standards. Whenever there is a good opportunity, we can strengthen equality and human rights protections through the media, congressional reports, relevant discussions or documents, and through communication.
Mingins emphasized the importance of continuous communication with the public and cooperation with different sectors. This is a team effort that requires active cooperation with different partners, especially in the areas of inquiry and monitoring, which must rely on information provided by various organizations so that there will be no blind spots. Through collaboration, the work shall be carried out smoothly in the development and implementation of strategic goals.
The EHRC focused on the human rights issues of anti-discrimination and equality during the discussion, to which human rights commissioner Tien Chiu Chin said, "The CEO mentioned climate change just now, and I would like to ask how the human rights issue of equality is involved. Are there examples?"
Pringle answered that climate change is closely related to human rights for future generations and will affect many people, especially the disadvantaged groups. "The European Network of National Human Rights Institutions has a lot to say about the issue of climate change and human rights, which you can refer to," Pringle said.
Human rights commissioner Yeh Ta Hua asked how the issue of the investigation was decided in cases such as that of the British Labour Party. Pringle replied that there are many issues in the press and media every day, but resources are limited. Therefore, there is a need to think strategically and there are criteria to measure. The commission tends to work on national issues rather than personal ones, and once a strategy is formed, there will be a 2-year or 5-year strategic plan.
Human rights commissioner Chi Hui Jung asked about the relationship between EHRC and the government: "How does the EHRC monitor the government? And how does it work with the Parliament? In Taiwan, the commission cannot provide policy consultation to the Legislative Yuan, so how does EHRC do that?"
Laura Mingins said that the EHRC accepts government sponsorship, but is independent of the government with a formal link budget-wise. EHRC and the government have a mutual agreement to communicate with each other, but will not disclose each other's information arbitrarily. They have a cooperative relationship of mutual trust.
Pringle also said that the EHRC has a parliament relations team, which sets goals for cooperation with the government, and discusses and consults with the Parliament on a regular basis, especially on the issue of equality, as a regular and necessary task.