Opening of Two Covenants Review Meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai: Hopes to Deepen International Dialogue and Cooperation
The 4th International Review Meeting on Taiwan's implementation of the two Covenants on Human Rights has commenced, with Premier Cho Jung-tai emphasizing deepening domestic and international dialogue and cooperation. The review, involving 12 international human rights experts, aims to enhance human rights protection and address challenges like misinformation and privacy protection.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 13:53
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Hsieh Chun-lin, Taipei 11th) The 4th International Review Meeting on the two Covenants was inaugurated today at the Evergreen International Convention Center, with 12 international human rights experts participating. Premier Cho Jung-tai said he expects to deepen dialogue and cooperation between the government and civil society, and domestically and internationally, through the review.
In his opening remarks, Premier Cho Jung-tai mentioned that during the period of the 4th National Report on the two Covenants (May 2020 to May 2024), Taiwan continuously strengthened its human rights protection system and improved relevant oversight mechanisms. For example, on the institutional level, the Control Yuan National Human Rights Commission was established in line with the UN "Paris Principles" to strengthen independent oversight functions, and the Executive Yuan also established the Department of Human Rights and Transitional Justice to coordinate cross-ministerial human rights affairs.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that on the policy level, the Executive Yuan promoted the first National Human Rights Action Plan, the Fisheries and Human Rights Action Plan, and continued to implement the Business and Human Rights National Action Plan, proposing a comprehensive plan to enhance human rights protection. On the legal level, four laws related to the prevention of sexual violence crimes were amended, and several laws, including the Indigenous Peoples Health Act and the New Residents Rights Protection Act, were passed.
Premier Cho Jung-tai pointed out that during his tenure as Premier, the Executive Yuan proposed the Youth Basic Act to implement youth mainstreaming, ensuring the right of youth to participate in public affairs. On the institutional level, the Executive Yuan established the Sports Administration, the Agency of Children and Youth and Family Support, and the Agency of Long-term Care and Social Development to implement the protection of the rights and welfare of various groups.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that this year the Executive Yuan also proposed Taiwan's first national-level gender-based violence prevention plan, which has been included in the national overall development strategy to establish a gender-equal society, demonstrating Taiwan's determination and action as a democratic country to continuously align with international human rights standards.
Premier Cho Jung-tai pointed out that according to the "Freedom House" global freedom score in March this year, Taiwan received 93 points, second only to Japan in Asia. However, international human rights issues continue to expand, and Taiwan, like other countries worldwide, faces challenges such as disinformation, privacy protection, and technology misuse. He hopes that through this review, dialogue and cooperation between the government and civil society, and domestically and internationally, will be further deepened to better respond to the needs of the people.
Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien stated that since the 3rd review meeting of the two Covenants in 2022, the Ministry of Justice has been committed to implementing human rights values in legal reforms and actively promoting in-depth dialogue between the government and civil society to ensure that voices from all sectors are accurately conveyed to the review committee. He said that the entire review process will be live-streamed on the "Human Rights March" website, allowing the public to jointly witness the progress of human rights rule of law in Taiwan.
The Ministry of Justice press release stated that the most notable aspect of this meeting is the invitation of 12 human rights leaders from around the world with high academic prestige and practical experience. Among them, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights committee is chaired by Austrian Manfred Nowak, who previously served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and is an authority on international human rights law.
According to the press release, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights review committee is chaired by South Korean Heisoo Shin, who previously served as a member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and has long been dedicated to international women's human rights affairs.
The Ministry of Justice stated that the 12 committee members will engage in in-depth and extensive substantive exchanges with Taiwan government representatives, the National Human Rights Commission, and civil society organizations on comprehensive human rights issues. Through the five-day review meeting, the government will take a broader national governance perspective to deeply examine the implementation results of various human rights indicators and continuously strengthen the independent operation of the National Human Rights Commission and cross-ministerial coordination mechanisms. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150511
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(Central News Agency reporter Hsieh Chun-lin, Taipei 11th) The 4th International Review Meeting on the two Covenants was inaugurated today at the Evergreen International Convention Center, with 12 international human rights experts participating. Premier Cho Jung-tai said he expects to deepen dialogue and cooperation between the government and civil society, and domestically and internationally, through the review.
In his opening remarks, Premier Cho Jung-tai mentioned that during the period of the 4th National Report on the two Covenants (May 2020 to May 2024), Taiwan continuously strengthened its human rights protection system and improved relevant oversight mechanisms. For example, on the institutional level, the Control Yuan National Human Rights Commission was established in line with the UN "Paris Principles" to strengthen independent oversight functions, and the Executive Yuan also established the Department of Human Rights and Transitional Justice to coordinate cross-ministerial human rights affairs.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that on the policy level, the Executive Yuan promoted the first National Human Rights Action Plan, the Fisheries and Human Rights Action Plan, and continued to implement the Business and Human Rights National Action Plan, proposing a comprehensive plan to enhance human rights protection. On the legal level, four laws related to the prevention of sexual violence crimes were amended, and several laws, including the Indigenous Peoples Health Act and the New Residents Rights Protection Act, were passed.
Premier Cho Jung-tai pointed out that during his tenure as Premier, the Executive Yuan proposed the Youth Basic Act to implement youth mainstreaming, ensuring the right of youth to participate in public affairs. On the institutional level, the Executive Yuan established the Sports Administration, the Agency of Children and Youth and Family Support, and the Agency of Long-term Care and Social Development to implement the protection of the rights and welfare of various groups.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that this year the Executive Yuan also proposed Taiwan's first national-level gender-based violence prevention plan, which has been included in the national overall development strategy to establish a gender-equal society, demonstrating Taiwan's determination and action as a democratic country to continuously align with international human rights standards.
Premier Cho Jung-tai pointed out that according to the "Freedom House" global freedom score in March this year, Taiwan received 93 points, second only to Japan in Asia. However, international human rights issues continue to expand, and Taiwan, like other countries worldwide, faces challenges such as disinformation, privacy protection, and technology misuse. He hopes that through this review, dialogue and cooperation between the government and civil society, and domestically and internationally, will be further deepened to better respond to the needs of the people.
Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien stated that since the 3rd review meeting of the two Covenants in 2022, the Ministry of Justice has been committed to implementing human rights values in legal reforms and actively promoting in-depth dialogue between the government and civil society to ensure that voices from all sectors are accurately conveyed to the review committee. He said that the entire review process will be live-streamed on the "Human Rights March" website, allowing the public to jointly witness the progress of human rights rule of law in Taiwan.
The Ministry of Justice press release stated that the most notable aspect of this meeting is the invitation of 12 human rights leaders from around the world with high academic prestige and practical experience. Among them, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights committee is chaired by Austrian Manfred Nowak, who previously served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and is an authority on international human rights law.
According to the press release, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights review committee is chaired by South Korean Heisoo Shin, who previously served as a member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and has long been dedicated to international women's human rights affairs.
The Ministry of Justice stated that the 12 committee members will engage in in-depth and extensive substantive exchanges with Taiwan government representatives, the National Human Rights Commission, and civil society organizations on comprehensive human rights issues. Through the five-day review meeting, the government will take a broader national governance perspective to deeply examine the implementation results of various human rights indicators and continuously strengthen the independent operation of the National Human Rights Commission and cross-ministerial coordination mechanisms. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150511
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.