Toward A New Island Nation of Human Rights

CHEN LUNG-CHU
　

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.