Taiwan and EU hold fifth Human Rights Consultation

Joint press release

The fifth Taiwan-European Union Human Rights Consultation was held on October 5, 2022, via videoconference. Representing Taiwan, Minister without Portfolio Lo Ping-cheng delivered opening remarks and co-chaired the meeting. On the EU side, EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore made introductory remarks, and Head of Human Rights Division Luisa Ragher and Head of Division for China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Mongolia Dominic Porter co-chaired the consultation.

The annual consultation provided an opportunity to review recent developments in each side's respective human rights situations and to update on their respective policies and priorities for action. The EU and Taiwan reaffirmed their firm commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

Taiwan presented its first National Human Rights Action Plan and the Action Plan for Fisheries and Human Rights, which were released earlier this year. Taiwan also gave a briefing on the establishment of the Department of Human Rights and Transitional Justice under the Executive Yuan and updated on the operations of the National Human Rights Commission. The EU welcomed recent measures taken by Taiwan to advance human rights and shared the EU's experiences and lessons learnt in the implementation of its Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024. The EU also reiterated its longstanding position against the death penalty and called upon Taiwan to pursue efforts towards its abolition.

Taiwan and the EU held in-depth discussions on specific human rights issues, such as gender equality and rights of LGBTI persons, business and human rights, and human rights in the digital sphere.

On gender equality and rights of LGBTI persons, the EU and Taiwan reviewed progress and challenges which remain to be addressed, to achieve effective human rights protection for girls, women, and LGBTI persons. More specifically, the EU presented the latest legislative developments in combating violence against women and domestic violence. Both sides acknowledged the results so far achieved under the 2019-2023 EU-Taiwan Gender Equality Cooperation and Training Framework and agreed to continue cooperation in this field.

The EU and Taiwan also discussed progress made in the field of business and human rights, with Taiwan elaborating on the implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. The EU presented the proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence and the proposal for a Regulation prohibiting products made with forced labor on the EU's market.

They also exchanged experiences in legislation and policies for the promotion and protection of human rights in the digital sphere, with the EU presenting the recently adopted Digital Services Package.

The consultation confirmed a high degree of like-mindedness and strong commitment on both sides to abide by the international human rights norms.

The EU and Taiwan agreed to explore the possibility of holding the next annual Human Rights Consultation in a physical format and pledged to continue their cooperation on human rights, in particular on those issues raised during the Consultation.

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