Toward A New Island Nation of Human Rights
CHEN
LUNG-CHU
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To commemorate the last International Human
Rights Day in the 20th century, December 10, 2000, both the public and
private in Taiwan held a series of activities. These activities include:
the meeting and press conference of the Presidential Task Face on Human
Rights, anniversary activities concerning the Human Rights Memorial in
Green Island, for 21 prisoners of conscience and other, a "human rights
wedding party" hosted by the president, an evening of gratitude and
respect to victims of human rights deprivations, and a 2000 Symposium for
International Human Rights held in Kaohsiung by some ten Taiwan human
rights organizations both at home and abroad.
These activities were highly symbolic, creative, educational and
practical. How to make human rights a living reality and daily experience
will require the joint efforts of private as well as public sectors of
private as well as public sectors through multiple methods.
Codification of human rights law is a fundamental task. President Chen
urged the Legislative Yuan to take prompt action to make the International
Bill of Human Rights a Taiwanese Bill of Human Rights through domestic
legislation, and to establish a National Commission on Human Rights. These
represent a reiteration of his inaugural message of May 20th, and reflect
the priority concerns of the Presidential Task Force.
Contemporary human rights have both international and domestic dimensions.
The International Bill of Human Rights includes Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and
International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The human
rights standards set forth in the International Bill of Human Rights have
become the yardstick by which the legitimacy of a government is judged. In
order to be part of the mainstream of the international human rights
system, Taiwan must internalize the international bill of human rights,
and to act locally and beyond. Human rights begin at home.
Those who do not remember the past tragedy are condemned to repeat it in
the future. The evening of gratitude and respect to victims of human
rights atrocities during the dark days of the reign of "White Terror" in
Taiwan was full of emotion and warnings. Human rights education is
essential.
The protection of human rights, in Taiwan and elsewhere, requires constant
vigilance. To establish a new island nation dedicated to human dignity and
human rights will require continuing efforts by all the people. Let us say
good-bye to the human tragedies of the 20th century, and greet the New
Century, the 21st century, with a renewed dedication to human rights for
all.
For Viewpoint, I'm Dr. Chen Lung-chu.
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