The 26th Meeting of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was held on February 22. The work conducted in 2021 was used as the basis to make an overall assessment of routine and ongoing tasks. Using domestic and overseas developments in human rights along with the budget structure for 2022 and the regulations governing its powers as a reference, the “2022 Annual Strategic Plan” was discussed and approved by the Commission. From the aforementioned, key tasks for 2022 were formulated. These were then organized into three major goals and six strategies to facilitate the continual promotion of human rights.
The NHRC was formally established on August 1, 2020, has been developing annual strategic plans since 2021 to fulfill its various functions and powers under Article 2 of the Organic Act of the Control Yuan National Human Rights Commission. Even when the COVID-19 pandemic delayed or prevented the implementation of some tasks during 2021, no effort was spared by NHRC Chairperson Chen Chu, the Commissioners, and the staff to implement every task as quickly as possible. Ultimately, the contents of the 2021 Annual Strategic Plan were successfully implemented.
Chairperson Chen Chu stated that the complex nature of human rights meant that every task should be organized by their priority. The foundations for the promotion and protection of human rights should be progressively laid down to ensure the realization of social equity and justice.
According to the NHRC, the three major goals are:
1. Refining the regulations relating to the exercise of human rights functions and powers, continuing to engage in systematic investigation and research, studying proposals related to the prevention of torture and human rights, strengthening functions and powers to advocate for the disadvantaged;
2. Establishing a monitoring mechanism and conducting impartial assessments on the implementation of human rights based on international conventions that demonstrate independence and professionalism; and
3. Strengthening social dialogue and communication, conducting research into human rights issues, continuing to engage in international exchanges, and supporting grassroots human rights education.
The six strategies of the NHRC for 2022 are outlined below:
1. Processing and handling of human rights violations: Processing human rights complaints; conducting pilot program on National Preventive Mechanism; continuing to systematically investigate by studying selected issues; developing proposals for action on human rights issues; strengthening the implementation of human rights functions and powers, and protection of the disadvantaged.
2. Monitoring emerging human rights issues and promoting better protection of human rights: Organizing forums and interviews with related groups or stakeholders to collect their input and prepare thematic reports; continuing to study emerging human rights issues in order to propose concrete policies and legislative recommendations that promote human rights.
3. Practical implementation of international human rights conventions: Organizing independent opinions of national reports for human rights conventions and taking part in international reviews; establishing a monitoring mechanism for the human rights of persons with disabilities; demonstrating the independence and professionalism of human rights institutions, and assisting the government with the promotion of human rights.
4. Strengthening social dialogue and communication: Hosting forums, seminars, and promotional events on different human rights issues with various groups, government agencies, and non-government organizations. Strengthening dialog and communication with society to cultivate human rights awareness.
5. Engaging in international exchanges: Engaging in international cooperation and establishing a mechanism for transnational exchange for high-level dialogs or exchanges on human rights issues.
6. Supporting grassroots human rights education: Organizing visual education on human rights, developing related courses and activities, publishing books to boost public awareness and participation in human rights issues, and promoting universal values in human rights.