Premier Lai Ching-te at today's Cabinet meeting received a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) concerning the concluding observations of international experts assembled to review Taiwan's initial report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), as well as follow-up actions to be taken by the government.
After the briefing Premier Lai remarked that the review meeting, which took place between November 20 and November 24, produced 97 concluding observations, including 90 suggestions on such topics as the rights of children to life, development, participation and protection. The premier instructed all ministries and agencies to comply with the oversight and evaluation measures and timetable laid out by the MOHW, and move quickly to review and discuss improvements, as well as work with local governments on implementation. Minister without Portfolio Lin Wan-i was directed to assist with supervision.
The CRC is the U.N.'s first international convention to embody the concept of comprehensive human rights. It is also the convention that has garnered the most consensus, with 196 countries joining as state parties. While not a member state of the U.N., Taiwan nevertheless produced an initial report under the CRC as called for in the Implementation Act of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in order to link up with the international community and demonstrate the importance of children's rights. In line with relevant U.N. procedures, the review meeting of Taiwan's initial report brought together a committee of international experts whose experience, in combination with input from domestic civic groups, is expected to comprehensively improve the protection of children's rights in Taiwan.
The MOHW summarized the points of concern and recommendations from the panel of international experts as follows: The first is the establishment of an independent national human rights organization. Second, laws, regulations and policies should be reviewed and set to comport with international rules and protect the rights of children. Third, people who work with children should receive education and training. Fourth, measures to guarantee and protect the rights and interests of children should be adopted. Fifth, the importance of children's psychological and sexual health should be recognized. The sixth is the protection of the right of children to enjoy play and leisure time, while the seventh concerns statistical investigation and data analysis.