The Fourth National Report under the ICCPR and ICESCR Officially Commences Global Experts Gather in Taiwan for In-depth Human Rights Dialogue

The International Review Meeting of the Fourth National Report under the ICCPR and ICESCR, organized by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), was grandly inaugurated today (May 11) at the Chang Yung-fa International Convention Center. MOJ extended a sincere welcome to the 12 international human rights commissioners from around the globe. Despite the complex international landscape, Taiwan’s pursuit of universal human rights values remains steadfast. Through this five-day review meeting, the government will conduct an in-depth examination of the implementation of various human rights indicators from a macro perspective of national governance, while continuing to strengthen the independent operation of the National Human Rights Commission and cross-ministry coordination mechanisms.

Premier Cho Jung-tai stated at the opening ceremony that, according to the Freedom in the World report released by Freedom House this March, Taiwan scored 93 points, ranking second in Asia only to Japan. However, as international human rights issues continue to evolve, Taiwan faces similar challenges as other countries, such as disinformation, privacy protection, and the misuse of technology. This serves as a constant reminder to us that the protection of human rights is never achieved overnight; rather, it is a long-term task that requires continuous improvement and adaptation to the times. The Premier further emphasized his hope that this review will deepen dialogue and cooperation between the government and civil society, as well as between domestic and international partners. By building a broader consensus, we aim to jointly promote a more pragmatic and comprehensive human rights protection system that effectively responds to the needs of the general public.

The highlight of this meeting is the successful invitation of 12 human rights leaders from around the world, renowned for their academic prestige and practical expertise. The ICCPR Review Group is chaired by Manfred Nowak(Austria), a leading authority on international human rights law and former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. Other members include William Schabas(Canada), Rukka Sombolinggi(Indonesia), Síofra O’Leary(Ireland), David Kaye(USA), and Dunja Mijatović(Bosnia and Herzegovina). The ICESCR Review Group is chaired by Heisoo Shin(South Korea), a former member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights who has long been dedicated to international women’s human rights. The group also includes Rosslyn Noonan(New Zealand), Miloon Kothari(India), Olivier De Schutter(Belgium), David Richard Boyd(Canada), and Jochen von Bernstorff(Germany). The 12 committee members will engage in deep and broad substantive exchanges with representatives from the Taiwan government, the National Human Rights Commission, and civil society organizations on a comprehensive range of human rights issues, encompassing civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

By organizing this international review, the MOJ not only assesses progress made over the past four years, but also provides an important platform for Taiwan to demonstrate its democratic resilience and advance alignment with international human rights standards. Through tripartite dialogue, the government will address the questions presented by the experts, thereby identifying areas for improvement and refining protection measures. To allow the public to witness this significant human rights event, the entire meeting is live-streamed with simultaneous interpretation. The government invites the public and the international community to witness Taiwan’s steadfast efforts in deepening human rights and pursuing justice.

For more information, please visit:

Dedicated Website for the International Review of the Fourth National Report under the ICCPR and ICESCR:

https://iccpricescr4threviewmeeting.tw

Human Rights in Taiwan Website:

https://www.humanrights.moj.gov.tw/