The Internationalization and Nationalization of Human Rights

Lung-chu Chen

President Chen Shui-bian expressed in his much acclaimed speech of inauguration a new commitment to freedom, democracy, and human rights, using these universal values to link internal and external affairs. Last week, Foreign Minister Tien presented a special report on "human rights diplomacy" before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Legislative Yuan. That was shortly followed by an act of an NGO Alliance to promote the establishment of a National Commission on Human Rights. The Alliance, consisting of some 22 NGOs in Taiwan and after six months' study, made public on June 4, 2000, a draft statute on the proposed Commission, expressing Taiwanese civil society's concern for human rights.

This is a good beginning that the government and the people take action for the cause of human rights. To protect human rights within and to promote human rights policy abroad require the cooperation of the government and the people.

Human rights need to be nationalized as well as internationalized. To enhance the content and quality of human rights protection in Taiwan, we should look to international human rights standards for guidance, internalize those standards, and make the International Bill of Human Rights in effect Taiwan's Bill of Human Rights. In today's world, the realization of human rights protection still depends largely on efforts within individual national communities.

To establish a National Human Rights Commission that would function independently and effectively, as proposed by the NGO Alliance, is very much in keeping with the mainstream of international human rights and represents a significant step in nationalizing human rights in Taiwan. The proposed Commission has multiple functions, including: doing human rights studies, promoting policy and legislation, appraising and preparing reports, educating the public, investigating and dealing with cases of gross violations of human rights. Obviously, the cooperation of the Legislature is vital.

To undertake concrete national steps to enhance the quality of human rights protection in Taiwan is an end in itself. The incidental benefits of helping human rights diplomacy and enhancing Taiwan's international image are certainly welcome.

Human rights diplomacy is part of all people's diplomacy. The protection and fulfillment of human rights internally is the keystone to a sound human rights diplomacy internationally.