Taiwan to set up human rights advisory committee: Ma

President Ma Ying-jeou said that Taiwan is going to set up a human rights advisory committee this month. Ma told Canadian human rights experts William Black and Magda Seydegart that he has signed two UN human rights conventions since he came to office. He also spoke of his plan to set up a human rights advisory committee on International Human Rights Day.

"This year, on December 10, just one week from now, the Presidential Office will set up a human rights advisory committee," Ma said. "In the next year, it will work with civic organizations to publish a report on human rights in Taiwan. It will evaluate and bring on discussion of our human rights performance."

Ma said that he has already made the two UN conventions become domestic law. The government also established the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy which bestows an annual Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award on International Human Rights Day.

Ma also spoke briefly on Taiwan's democracy and recent elections. He said he believes that Taiwan's democracy is maturing. He said the recent mayoral elections went well except for a shooting incident on the eve of the elections.


(2010-12-3/Radio Taiwan International)