Human rights virtual held by Taiwan, UK

From Taiwan Today

2021-04-22

New Southbound Policy。CY President Chen Chu (seventh right) is joined by British Office Taipei Rep. John Dennis (center), EHRC Interim Director Alastair Pringle (on screen, bottom right) and other officials April 20 during a virtual meeting on human rights. (Courtesy of CY)

CY President Chen Chu (seventh right) is joined by British Office Taipei Rep. John Dennis (center), EHRC Interim Director Alastair Pringle (on screen, bottom right) and other officials April 20 during a virtual meeting on human rights. (Courtesy of CY)

A virtual meeting on advancing human rights was jointly staged by Taiwan and the U.K. April 20, spotlighting the two sides’ commitment to bringing local laws and practices in line with global standards while safeguarding freedom and democracy, according to the Control Yuan.

CY President Chen Chu, who serves as the head of the National Human Rights Commission, was joined at the meeting by commission members and counterparts from the U.K. Equality and Human Rights Commission.

During her remarks, Chen said Taiwan and the U.K. share the universal values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. The government will continue working with like-minded partners around the world to ensure human rights, peace and sustainable development, she added.

Other high-profile attendees speaking at the event included EHRC Interim Director Alastair Pringle and British Office Taipei Representative John Dennis.

Pringle took the opportunity to congratulate Taiwan on the establishment of NHRC, calling it a remarkable achievement amid the pandemic.

According to Dennis, only a concerted effort by countries, governments and public and private organizations around the world can advance human rights. EHRC looks forward to deepening collaboration and expanding exchanges with NHCR in the area of human rights to benefit the people of both sides, he said.

Launched in 2007, EHRC was established through the merging of the U.K.’s former Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission. In 2009, EHRC was awarded A status, the highest level of accreditation for a national human rights institution, by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.

NHRC is overseen by the president and nine members of the Control Yuan. Following the Paris Principles adopted in 1993 by the U.N. General Assembly, it is set to review grievances of abuses and discrimination, as well as draft the National Human Rights Report and advise government agencies on related policymaking. (DL-E)

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