Today (Nov. 2), the NHRC invited the members of the International Review Committee (hereafter IRC) of the fourth national report on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to Taiwan for a discussion. Chairperson Chen Chu expressed her gratitude in her welcome speech for the opportunity to have a face-to-face dialogue and exchange of opinions in the midst of the intensive and heavy examination activities.
Chairperson Chen Chu stated that the forming of the NHRC has been discussed for 20 years, including the advocacy of civil society groups and the efforts of three presidents to reconcile opposing viewpoints. Since its inception, it has strived to adhere to the Paris Principles and to implement pluralism, specialization, and independence. In the presidential nomination process, civil society consulted and recommended all commissioners of the Committee.
During the review process, inquires made by the IRC members and civil groups were all answered in writings, Chairperson Chen Chu stated. In addition, the NHRC has created a set of processes for handling grievances and complaints on abuses of human rights that will be applied going forward.
Due to its unique international circumstance, Taiwan was unable to travel to Geneva to be examined by the UN treaty monitoring bodies, but the CEDAW was the first to start the model of local international review of human rights treaty state reports in 2009. This was made possible by the active advocacy of Taiwanese women's groups and the selfless assistance of international human rights experts.
As stated by the Chairperson Chen Chu, this type of assessment is undoubtedly more thorough and pertinent to the current circumstances in Taiwan than those at the UN, and the involvement of more NGOs also enables foreign members to hear from a wider range of voices and different points of view. The advancement of women's rights and gender equality in Taiwan has been promoted, and numerous changes to laws and policies have been implemented, following each international review on the state report on the CEDAW. Any critique or recommendation offers the NHRC the chance to reflect, review, and improve.
Chairperson Chen Chu emphasized that Taiwan has benefited from the assistance of numerous international human rights experts in its efforts to advance democracy and that Taiwan is ready to repay the international community and uphold its obligation to advance human rights whenever the opportunity presents itself. Since the NHRC has been in operation for two years, it has a responsibility to oversee and encourage the government's adoption of the CEDAW and IRC's concluding observations.
Since the NHRC has been operating two years ago, the staff has grown from only 10 in the first year to 39 in the second. Chairperson Chen Chu stated that despite the staff's small size, they all make an effort to take part in the review of state reports on the conventions, provide unbiased evaluation opinions, gain experience, and continue to hone the NHRC's functions. Particularly, the NHRC has actively participated in delivering independent opinion on state reports of five core covenants over the last two years.
In addition, Chairperson Heisoo Shin of Korea introduced the creation of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRC of Korea), which underwent a similar process before becoming operational in 2001. For example, the Ministry of Justice and civil society did not agree that the NHRC of Korea should be placed under the Ministry of Justice; also, of the 11 members of the NHRC of Korea, four were chosen by the President, four by the Parliament, and three by the Supreme Court. At the time, the Supreme Court reprimanded for having just three seats as well.
The staff of NHRC Taiwan is clearly insufficient, according to Chairperson Heisoo Shin, when compared to the NHRC of Korea, which has more than 200 employees and five offices spread out around the country. However, NHRC Taiwan’s independent opinion reviews on the state reports are of very high quality. She also emphasized the need for the outside world to judge independence impartially.
Chairperson Heisoo Shin then introduced the invited international experts, including Ayse Feride Acar from Turkey, Niklas Bruun from Finland, Ruth Halperin-Kaddari from Israel, and Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia from Nigeria.
The NHRC Vice Chairperson Wang Jung-chang, Commissioners Chi Hui-jung and Kao Yung-cheng, who supervised the preparation of the Independent Opinion on the National Report of the CEDAW, as well as Commissioners Wang Yu-ling, Tien Chiu-chin, Yeh Ta-hua, Upay Radiw Kanasaw and Su Li-chiung, were also present for the exchange of views.
Commissioner Chi Hui-jung moderated the panel discussion, during which additional opinions were shared on the issues raised by the IRC members regarding the connection between the NHRC and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), the significance of complaint and investigation procedures, and the prevention of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the private sector, particularly in corporations.