On behalf of Premier Su Tseng-chang, Executive Yuan Spokesperson and Minister without Portfolio Lo Ping-cheng on Monday welcomed a delegation from the German Bundestag's Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, led by German Member of Parliament Peter Heidt. Human rights are central to the values that underpin democratic nations, Spokesperson Lo said, and the delegation's visit coincides with a year in which human rights has taken center stage in Taiwan.
This year Taiwan is hosting reviews by international human rights experts of the nation's implementation of five UN covenants and has launched the nation's first National Human Rights Action Plan and Action Plan for Fisheries and Human Rights. Additionally, Taiwan's highest administrative body, the Executive Yuan, earlier this year established the Department of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, responsible for conducting research into and promoting Taiwan's human rights policy and matters relating to transitional justice.
Spokesperson Lo thanked German lawmakers on behalf of the government for their adoption of a cross-party resolution earlier in May, which called on the German government to advocate for Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly and at World Health Organization events and mechanisms. Spokesperson Lo also thanked Germany, which holds the G7's rotating presidency this year, for calling on nations around the world to pay close attention to the security situation in the Taiwan Strait. Grateful for support from friendly nations at a time when the nation is facing pressure from China, Taiwan looks forward to drawing on Germany's experience of transitional justice during meetings with the delegation.
In order to strengthen Taiwan's human rights protections, five years ago Taiwan and the EU began taking turns to host annual Taiwan-European Union Human Rights Consultations. The meetings with EU human rights experts have been extremely beneficial in furthering human rights work, and has allowed Taiwan to overcome a number of challenges, Spokesperson Lo said. These accomplishments include the establishment of the independent National Human Rights Commission and the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights two years ago on the advice of EU experts.
MP Heidt said in his remarks that Taiwan and Germany share certain historical commonalities, such as experience under authoritarian regimes. After East Germany was dissolved, the German government swiftly began dealing with the aftermath of the communist regime's injustices, and MP Heidt thus believes Taiwan and Germany will have much to discuss and learn from each other regarding issues of transitional justice.
MP Heidt said that authoritarian China's intimidation of Taiwan, as well as the recently concluded 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, provide further proof that China's autocratic government poses a deep threat to the world. From this visit, the German delegation hopes to achieve a greater understanding of Taiwan's situation as well as learn how Taiwan upholds the spirit of free democracy. Only through mutual cooperation between democratic nations can we respond to the rise of China, the MP said.
Taiwan and Germany already cooperate closely across many fields. Taiwan has made great progress in digital technology, and the MP hopes our two countries can engage in mutual exchange and learning in this sphere. He also looks forward to Taiwan and the EU signing a free trade agreement in the future for the mutual benefit of both sides.