President Ma of the ROC said at the NGO shadow report that government is the most likely body to violate human rights
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) held a press conference for the presentation of the English status report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights last December. President Ma, vice president Wu, minister of justice, minister of foreign affairs and other heads of governmental organizations together with diplomatic envoys and medias presented at the conference.
The two Covenants were drafted in 1966 and are now adopted by more than 80% of the nations around the world. The fundamental spirits of the two Covenants are the respect for human rights, the universal value recognized by all people. Taiwan has signed the two Covenants in 1967, but later lost the qualification as the signing country due to the loss of UN membership. In 2009, the two Covenants were adopted by the legislature and the president Ma declared the two Covenants domestic laws. A human rights advisory committee was set up on December 10, 2010 in the Office of the President. The government commits to publish the national human rights reports on an annual basis. All these efforts are echoing the intention of president Ma to raise Taiwan’s international status by adopting the Covenants and creating Taiwan as a peace-maker, humanitarian supporter, cultural exchange promoter, friendly business partner and innovator. The ultimate goal is to lift the standards of human rights protection in Taiwan to international levels.
The Chinese report was completed in April, 2012 and the English version was finished roughly 7 months later. The conference wass to make Taiwan’s respect for human rights known by international community. Journalists in the conference asked questions such as the media monopoly by conglomerate, death penalty, human rights conditions in China and violations of the Covenants by the government. President Ma commented “The audit by international experts in 2013 will serve as important references for our future endeavors. We have to be very frank and honest to face any potential shortcomings we may have. If the law needs to be revised, let the law be revised. If the administrative codes have to be amended, then let the codes be amended. On the other hand, we also have to strengthen the education of human rights for government officers. Most government officers do not even understand the details of human rights protection, let alone honoring the protection. Chances are they might have violate laws and regulations when they breach the two Covenants.”
The NGO shadow report asked how the government was to face the case of Su Jian-Ho and the Tai Ji Men tax case. President Ma said “Cases of breaches of human rights may not necessarily violate the laws. Therefore remedies may need to be found outside the jurisdiction of laws. However, government is the most likely body to violate human rights protections. It makes no sense for a case dragging on for ten or twenty years. This must be changed. And there are many more areas where the government can make improvements. Obviously we have not done our best and we are willing to face the criticism with open mindedness. Let’s work together to make it better.”
The most important about the two Covenants is the execution. The willingness and implementation are what count to make the Covenants work. The participating foreign media is highly interested in how the government is to work out the difficulties and challenges in implementing the two Covenants. If we want to enhance Taiwan’s human rights protection standards and to enjoy prevailing human rights, we must broaden and deepen the implementation of the two Covenants.
Source: Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy
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