Civil Groups and DPP Legislators Urge Refugee Law Enactment: Call for Transparent Standards and Procedures for Temporary Alien Registration Certificates

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chun-hua, Taipei, June 16) June 20 marks 'World Refugee Day.' Today, civil groups joined hands with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators and Control Yuan members to hold a press conference, calling on the government to enact a Refugee Law and make the asylum system more open, transparent, and legally grounded. They also urged the immigration authorities to clearly explain the review criteria, procedures, and timelines for the 'Temporary Alien Registration Certificate'—regardless of whether applications are approved or rejected.

On May 19, the Control Yuan passed an investigative report submitted by Control Yuan members Chi Hui-jung and Kao Yung-cheng. Since the Refugee Law has not yet been legislated, asylum cases are largely handled through administrative discretion. According to legislative negotiation records, the Ministry of the Interior's Immigration Agency stated that asylum applicants, upon review, may be issued a Temporary Alien Registration Certificate, granting them rights to work, access insurance, and enroll in schools. However, despite over two years having passed since applications were received, most cases remain undecided. Notably, no Temporary Alien Registration Certificates have been issued to date, indicating a lack of clarity in the review process and criteria. The Control Yuan found this situation problematic and formally passed a corrective resolution against the Immigration Agency.

The press conference was held this morning at the Legislative Yuan by the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, Amnesty International Taiwan, DPP legislators Lin Yueh-chin and Wang Cheng-hsu, along with Control Yuan members Chi Hui-jung and Kao Yung-cheng.

Lin Yueh-chin stated that the Ministry of the Interior has received over 60 applications for Temporary Alien Registration Certificates, yet none have been issued—creating a situation of 'a system without an outlet.' Many individuals seeking asylum in Taiwan resort to illegal work to survive, only to be detained and deported by immigration authorities. She emphasized that protecting basic rights to life and work is a fundamental obligation of the government in fulfilling its human rights commitments.

Lin called on the Immigration Agency to publicly disclose the review standards, procedures, and timelines for Temporary Alien Registration Certificates ahead of World Refugee Day. Regarding the right to work for asylum seekers, she urged the Ministry of Labor to issue nationwide, consistent guidelines. She also called on the Executive Yuan to establish a cross-ministerial humanitarian residence and asylum system, integrating the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Ministry of Education.

Wang Cheng-hsu pointed out that to fundamentally resolve the issue, Taiwan still needs a dedicated law aligned with international human rights standards. He pledged to actively engage with administrative agencies and civil groups in the Legislative Yuan to push forward the legislative process for a 'Refugee Law,' steering Taiwan's asylum system toward openness, transparency, and legal formalization.

Chi Hui-jung noted that during the 2023 (Republic Year 112) amendment of the Entry and Exit and Immigration Act, a supplementary resolution explicitly required the Ministry of the Interior to consult with relevant agencies on providing basic living support for asylum seekers. Without such safeguards, the burden falls heavily on civil society to assist individuals, which is unsustainable. She urged the government to establish clear systems, regulations, and review standards to ensure appropriate support for asylum seekers' basic living needs and medical care.

Chiu I-ling, Secretary-General of Amnesty International Taiwan, stated that the concluding observations from the fourth international review of Taiwan's periodic report on the two international human rights covenants have once again clearly emphasized the need for Taiwan to establish a refugee and asylum system in line with international standards. Taiwan has long positioned itself as a 'human rights-based nation,' but if it fails to provide institutional protection for the most fundamental rights to personal safety and asylum, such commitments will be difficult to trust.

Chiu called on the government to swiftly draft and pass a 'Refugee Law' to build a system framework compliant with international standards. Before legislation, she urged a review and improvement of existing mechanisms to ensure asylum reviews are transparent, timely, and protective of basic rights. She further called for full implementation of the concluding observations from the human rights covenants, so that Taiwan's human rights system can substantively align with the international community. (Edited by Chai Szu-chia) 1150616