Today (December 9), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) invited academics, industry experts, and human rights group representatives to participate in a "Webinar on Human Rights Conventions." The main discussion was centered on the international review meetings for the UN's five core human rights conventions conducted this year, the Independent Opinions issued by the NHRC, and the International Review Committee's concluding observations. To increase social engagement, the Webinar was live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook.
Chairperson Chen Chu was invited to attend Human Rights Day events in France, therefore, her pre-recorded speech was delivered at the Webinar's opening ceremony. Chen Chu in her speech reiterated that December 10 was Human Rights Day and that this year marked the 74th anniversary of the United Nations' adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Over the last 74 years, a number of conventions to promote and protect human rights were progressively passed by the UN. Regrettably, during this time Taiwan endured 38 years of authoritarian rule, the “White Terror” incident, and played no role in the international tide on human rights.
Chairperson Chen pointed out that Taiwan began the process of incorporating international human rights conventions into domestic legislation in 2009 and invited UN human rights experts to conduct international reviews in Taiwan. It has been 13 years since the international review model was introduced. The government continued to release national reports on schedule throughout this time, and civic groups continued to participate in the process. All of these demonstrated Taiwanese people and government's dedication to putting human rights conventions into practice.
In addition to gathering stakeholder opinions and preparing its independent opinions based on observations of government administration, the NHRC has hosted nearly a hundred discussion meetings since its founding in 2020, including seminars, focus group discussions, discussion seminars with government agencies, and meetings with experts and academics.
The main discussion was moderated by Liao Yun-chan, the Director of "Independent Opinion@CommonWealth Magazine," and the first session focused on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Member Fan Sun-lu, President of the Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy, Chang Yu-meng, and Liang Chao-hsun, Representative from the Executive Yuan's Child and Youth Welfare and Rights Promotion Group, discussed child rights implementation and human rights education on school campuses.
Member Fan Sun-lu said that many conceptual issues remain in Taiwan’s journey from authoritarianism to democracy. Consensus-building between teachers, parents, and society is needed for perceptions to change. Only then, can behaviors also be changed so that the core values of the human rights conventions can be perpetuated. The spirit of the CRC emphasizes children's right to be heard, non-discrimination, and development. Even as children and youths engage and communicate with their schools, school principals must also possess human rights awareness.
The second session focused on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Commissioner Chi Hui-jung of the NHRC, Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation CEO Tu Ying-chiu, and Section Chief Yan Shi-hyi from the Foundation of Women’s Rights Promotion and Development engaged in an in-depth discussion on the recommendations of the CEDAW International Review Committee on gender violence, non-governmental organizations’ reports on CEDAW, the establishment of a monitoring mechanism by the five Yuans, and implementation of CEDAW mechanisms.
Commissioner Chi Hui-jung expressed her regret at the limited application of CEDAW by domestic courts. She also believed that Taiwan must actively monitor the implementation of the concluding observations from these international reviews, to become a country with human rights. The collaboration process including dialog between governmental departments and society is of particular importance.
The third session discussed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Commissioner Wang Yu-ling of the NHRC, Secretary-General Hung Hsin-ping of the League for Persons with Disabilities, and Secretary-General Sun I-hsin from the Taiwan Social Welfare League concentrated on topics such as deinstitutionalization, return to living in the community, and living independently.
Commissioner Wang Yu-ling stated that the CRPD is quite an advanced convention that turns much of Taiwan’s traditional customs on its head. In the past, Taiwan tended to be over-protective of persons with disabilities. The CRPD on the other hand emphasized social participation, equal opportunity, and social inclusion for people with disabilities. Essential elements such as appropriate education, self-directed training, support system, and social consensus require joint collaboration between the government, community, and parents.
The fourth session saw Professor Mab Huang, the human rights consultant, outline the spirit and progress of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Professor Huang also offered opinions and recommendations on general anti-discrimination laws, the protection of digital human rights, the international trend toward the abolishment of the death penalty, the protection of voting rights, and equal rights for migrant workers.