Taiwan and the European Union (EU) celebrated the fifth consultation on human rights by videoconference.
Representing Taiwan, Minister Lo Ping-cheng delivered the opening speech and co-chaired the meeting.
On the EU side, the Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, gave an introductory speech, and the Head of the Human Rights Division, Luisa Ragher, and the Head of the 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 the human rights situation in each of the parties and to update their respective policies and priorities for action.
Taiwan and the EU reaffirmed their firm commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Taiwan introduced its first National Human Rights Action Plan and Action Plan for Fisheries and Human Rights, which were released earlier this year.
In addition, he also reported on the creation of the Department of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, under the Executive Yuan, and provided updated information on the functioning of the National Human Rights Commission.
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The EU welcomed the recent steps taken by Taiwan to promote human rights, and shared the experiences and lessons learned by the EU in the implementation of its Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024.
He also reiterated his long-standing position against the death penalty, and called on Taiwan to continue its efforts towards its abolition.
Taiwan and the EU held in-depth discussions on specific human rights issues, such as gender equality and the rights of LGBTI people, business, and human rights in the digital sphere.
Regarding gender equality and the rights of LGBTI people, the EU and Taiwan reviewed the progress and challenges that remain to be addressed, to achieve effective protection of the human rights of girls, women and LGBTI people.
More specifically, the EU presented the latest legislative advances in the fight against violence against women and domestic violence.
Both sides acknowledged the results achieved so far in the EU-Taiwan gender equality cooperation and training framework 2019-2023 and agreed to continue cooperation in this area.
Experiences on legislation and policies for the promotion and protection of human rights in the digital sphere were also exchanged, with the EU presenting the recently adopted Digital Services Package.
The consultation confirmed the high degree of affinity and the firm commitment of both parties to respect international human rights standards.
Taiwan and the EU agreed to explore the possibility of holding the next annual consultation on human rights in a physical format and pledged to continue cooperating on human rights, in particular on the issues raised during the consultation.
