Taipei: The National Human Rights Commission of Taiwan released the “Independent Evaluation Opinions on ICERD’s First National Report” at a press conference held last Wednesday, 19 July 2023.
The programme presided over by the president and vice-president of the Central Investigating Commission was attended by the representatives of the USA, Australia, Indonesia, Israel, Philippines and Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa of the Office of Tibet, Taiwan.
President of the Central Investigating Commission of Taiwan cum Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission Chen Ju in her address stated that the fight for human rights is an enduring one.
“The Taiwan Government has released the report for the first time which is expected to undergo examination by independent authorities. Due to undefined laws or non-applicability, racial discrimination has gone unchecked so far. Now, that it has come to everyone’s attention, it will hopefully help end racial discrimination”, she said.
Since 31 March 1966, Taiwan was a signatory to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). However, later it was expelled from the ICERD and is currently not a member. It continues to fulfil its obligations despite that and published its first report on 14 December 2022. The report was supervised by three members of the National Human Rights Commission. It highlighted human rights issues such as stateless persons, migrant workers, and those seeking residence and naturalisation. The visa issue of Tibetans was included among the racial discrimination issues.
–Filed by the Office of Tibet, Taiwan