The National Human Rights Commission of Taiwan (NHRC) and the French Office in Taipei (BFT) jointly held a press conference on 24 June to review the achievements of their cooperation since the establishment of the NHRC and to share their priorities for advancing democracy and human rights.
NHRC Vice Chairperson Chi Hui-jung stated that France has long been one of Taiwan’s key partners in promoting human rights. In recent years, bilateral exchanges have continued to deepen. In 2022, a delegation led by former NHRC Chairperson Chen Chu visited France and met with senior French officials, including France’s Ambassador for Human Rights Delphine Borione. In 2023, France’s Ambassador for LGBT+ Rights Jean-Marc Berthon visited Taiwan and took part in the Taipei Pride Parade, further demonstrating the close partnership between the two sides in promoting shared human rights values.
Vice Chairperson Chi noted that since its establishment in 2020 in accordance with the Paris Principles, the NHRC has been entrusted with overseeing government action, promoting compliance of laws and policies with international human rights conventions, and strengthening the protection of human rights. Although Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, it has developed innovative mechanisms - including inviting international experts to conduct independent reviews of its implementation of international human rights conventions - to remain closely connected with the international human rights system and demonstrate its commitment to implementing international human rights standards.
She also stressed that the NHRC plays a vital role in monitoring and improving the human rights situation in Taiwan and in facilitating Taiwan’s participation in the international human rights framework. If the Commission’s work were to be undermined, Taiwan would lose an independent oversight body, while its preventive and remedial functions would be weakened, particularly affecting disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. It would also hinder Taiwan’s ability to align itself with international human rights standards.
French Office in Taipei Director Franck Paris emphasized that cooperation between France and the NHRC is founded on the shared commitment to defending democracy and human rights. France respects Taiwan’s democratic institutions and its domestic political choices and does not take a position on Taiwan’s internal political debates. Europe’s experience shows that democracy extends beyond elections: it also encompasses the protection of human rights and respect for the legal and institutional frameworks that safeguard them. Questioning institutions dedicated to protecting human rights risks weakening democratic resilience. At a time when human rights face growing challenges worldwide, France believes it is especially important to work with democratic partners such as Taiwan to defend and promote these shared values. Director Paris added that the NHRC plays a crucial role in deepening democracy, strengthening societal resilience and protecting human rights, and that France will continue supporting Taiwan’s international engagement and cooperation in this field.
Director Paris recalled that over the past four years the two sides have built a solid partnership through the long-term secondment of French technical experts to the NHRC, professional training, participation in international forums and reciprocal visits. France’s Human Rights and Governance Technical Expert in Taiwan, Jérémie Beja, has supported the NHRC’s work on international human rights conventions, human rights education and training, and international cooperation. He has also facilitated visits by several international experts, including representatives of International Memorial, recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, and assisted Taiwanese delegations participating in international human rights activities.
Director Paris stressed that the partnership between France and the NHRC is part of international human rights cooperation rather than an extension of Taiwan’s domestic political debate. The future of the NHRC should not be determined by polarization over domestic political issues. From France’s perspective, the NHRC not only contributes to consolidating Taiwan’s democratic system but also serves as an essential bridge between Taiwan and the international human rights community. It has become one of Taiwan’s principal representative institutions on human rights, making it a valuable asset for the country.
The NHRC then presented the main achievements of this cooperation. Since 2022, it has established close partnerships with the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) and other major French human rights institutions through reciprocal visits, seminars and professional exchanges aimed at strengthening expertise and advancing human rights protection. In addition to NHRC delegations visiting France, French figures such as Ambassador Jean-Marc Berthon and Paris Deputy Mayor Jean-Luc Romero-Michel have visited Taiwan to participate in human rights events. The two sides have also exchanged experience on issues such as the prevention of torture and support for human rights defenders, helping to advance related policies and institutional development.
The NHRC noted that, beyond promoting and protecting human rights, it is also mandated for independent oversight, human rights education, handling complaints and promoting institutional reform. It will continue to focus on protecting disadvantaged and vulnerable groups through case analysis and institutional improvements, while advancing the establishment of a national preventive mechanism against torture and the incorporation into domestic law of key international labour standards, including the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (C188) and the Domestic Workers Convention (C189).
Director Paris emphasized that no achievement in the field of human rights should ever be taken for granted. Europe’s experience demonstrates that, regardless of political changes, human rights protections can only endure through strong legal frameworks and independent institutions, thereby preventing any regression. Continued international cooperation and the sharing of experience are also essential to safeguarding democracy and human rights.
Looking ahead, Vice Chairperson Chi and Director Paris agreed that promoting human rights is a never-ending task, even in well-established democracies. France and Taiwan will continue deepening their cooperation on the abolition of the death penalty, the prevention of torture and other key human rights issues. France will also support an NHRC delegation in attending the 2026 World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris, further strengthening exchanges between Taiwan and the international community.
During the press conference, journalists also raised questions regarding the death penalty, mechanisms for preventing torture and criminal justice policy. Vice Chairperson Chi noted that both the death penalty and the prohibition of torture remain major international human rights issues and continue to be debated in many countries. The Commissioners stated that they would continue promoting research, public dialogue and human rights education to encourage informed public discussion based on international experience and human rights standards.
Director Paris also shared France’s own experience in abolishing the death penalty, stressing that France does not seek to lecture other countries but simply to share its own history. When France abolished capital punishment in 1981, a majority of public opinion still supported retaining it. Nevertheless, the French government proceeded with abolition on the basis of human rights principles. As public debate continued over time, societal attitudes gradually evolved, and today abolition enjoys broad consensus in France.
Responding to questions about the future of the NHRC, Vice Chairperson Chi recalled that, under the Paris Principles, national human rights institutions must enjoy independence, stable operating mechanisms and adequate resources in order to carry out their mandate effectively. The Commissioners concluded by emphasizing that human rights protection is one of the fundamental values of any democratic society and that only through independent oversight, advocacy and dialogue can Taiwan continue to make progress in advancing human rights.
In addition to NHRC Vice Chairperson Chi Hui-jung, those attending the press conference included Commissioners Kao Yung-cheng, Wang Yu-ling, Upay Radiw Kanasaw, Yeh Ta-hua and Tien Chiu-chin, Control Yuan Member Fan Sun-lu, French Office in Taipei Director Franck Paris, Head of Press and Political Affairs Vincent Yanelle, and France’s Human Rights and Governance Technical Expert in Taiwan Jérémie Beja.