| TAIWAN Taiwan T'ai-wan Joined United Nations: Not applicable- (lost status in 1971 to the People's Republic of China) Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 06/30/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Taipei
23,024,956 (July 2010 est.)
Ma Ying-jeou
President since 20 May 2008
President since 20 May 2008
President and vice president elected on the same ticket by
popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);
election last held 22 March 2008
Next scheduled election: March 2012
popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);
election last held 22 March 2008
Next scheduled election: March 2012
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Wu Den-yih
Premier
(President of the Executive Yuan)
Since 08 September 2009
Premier
(President of the Executive Yuan)
Since 08 September 2009
NOTE- Premier Wu replaced Liu Chao-shiuan on 08
September 2009, who, along with the rest of his cabinet,
resigned to take "political responsibility" for the over 700
deaths caused by floods and mudslides triggered by Typhoon
Morakot in early August 2009.
September 2009, who, along with the rest of his cabinet,
resigned to take "political responsibility" for the over 700
deaths caused by floods and mudslides triggered by Typhoon
Morakot in early August 2009.
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
| RELIGIONS |
Mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Multiparty democracy includes central island of Taiwan plus numerous smaller islands near central island and off coast of
China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and
plural), and 2 special municipalities (chuan-shih, singular and plural). Legal system is based on civil law system
Executive: President and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a
second term); election last held 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president;
vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier
Legislative: Unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members
elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote
among aboriginal populations; to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats
note: as a result of constitutional amendments approved by the now defunct National Assembly in June 2005, number of
seats in legislature will be reduced from 225 to 113 beginning with election in 2007; amendments also eliminated National
Assembly thus giving Taiwan a unicameral legislature
elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 12 January 2008 (next to be held in December 2011 or January 2012)
Judicial: Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan)
China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and
plural), and 2 special municipalities (chuan-shih, singular and plural). Legal system is based on civil law system
Executive: President and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a
second term); election last held 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president;
vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier
Legislative: Unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members
elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote
among aboriginal populations; to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats
note: as a result of constitutional amendments approved by the now defunct National Assembly in June 2005, number of
seats in legislature will be reduced from 225 to 113 beginning with election in 2007; amendments also eliminated National
Assembly thus giving Taiwan a unicameral legislature
elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 12 January 2008 (next to be held in December 2011 or January 2012)
Judicial: Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan)
| LANGUAGES |
Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
| BRIEF HISTORY |
Taiwan is estimated by anthropologists to have been populated for approximately 30,000 years. Little is known about
the original inhabitants, but distinctive jadeware, and corded pottery of the Changpin, Puyuma and Tapenkeng
(Dapenkeng) cultures show a marked diversity in the island's early inhabitants. Today's Taiwan's aboriginal peoples are
classified as belonging to the Austronesian ethno-linguistic group of people, a linguistic group that stretches as far west as
Madagascar, to Easter Island in the east and to New Zealand in the south with Taiwan as the northern most point.
Austronesian culture on Taiwan begins about 4,000 B.C. Several entries that may refer to Taiwan appear in Chinese
historical records, but otherwise no records exist of Taiwan in the early period. Between 607 and 610, some generals of
Sui Dynasty embarked on several military operations on Liuqiu, described in the Book of Sui. Many scholars think that
the Liuqiu of the Sui Dynasty was what is the island of Taiwan. In 1292, Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty tried to force
minorities in Yizhou to pay tribute. Between 1335 and 1340, Wang Dayuan wrote a book which describes Liuqiu after
he had visited it. In 1375, the Ming Dynasty dispatched a delegation to the now Ryūkyū Islands. Thereafter the Han
referred to the Ryūkyū Islands as "Liuqiu" and an island south of the Ryūkyū Islands as "little Liuqiu" which may be the
island of Taiwan. Between 1403 and 1424, the great fleet of Ming Dynasty's admiral Zheng He possibly visited Taiwan.
Portuguese sailors, passing Taiwan in 1544, first jotted in a ship's log the name of the island "Ilha Formosa", meaning
Beautiful Island. In 1582 the survivors of a Portuguese shipwreck spent ten weeks battling malaria and aborigines before
returning to Macau on a raft. Dutch traders, in search of an Asian base first arrived on the island at the request of the
Ming court in 1623 to use the island as a base for Dutch commerce with Japan and the coastal areas of China. The
Spanish and allies established a settlement at Santissima Trinidad, building Fort San Salvador on the northwest coast of
Taiwan near Keelung in 1626 which they occupied until 1642 when they were driven out by a joint Dutch-Aborigine
invasion force. They also built a fort in Tamsui (1628) but already abandoned it in 1638. The Dutch later built Fort
Anthonio here (1642), which still stands (now part of the Fort San Domingo museum complex). The Dutch East India
Company (VOC) administered the island and its predominantly aboriginal population until 1662, setting up a tax system,
schools to teach romanized script of aboriginal languages and evangelizing. Japan had sought to claim sovereignty over
Taiwan (known as Takayama Koku) since 1592, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi undertook a policy of overseas expansion
and extending Japanese influence southward [1]. Korea, to the west, was invaded and an attempt to invade Taiwan and
subsequent invasion attempts were to be unsuccessful due mainly to disease and attacks by aborigines on the island. In
1609, the Tokugawa Shogunate sent Haruno Arima on an exploratory mission of the island. In 1616, Murayama Toan
led an unsuccessful invasion of the island. In 1871, an Okinawan vessel shipwrecked on the southern tip of Taiwan and
the crew of 54 were beheaded by the Botan aborigines. When Japan sought compensation from Qing China, the court
rejected compensation on the account that they didn't have jurisdiction over the island. This was to lead to Japan testing
the situation for colonizing the island and in 1874 an expedition force of 3,000 troops were sent to the island . It was not
until the defeat of the Chinese navy during the First Sino-Japanese War in 1894-95 was Japan to finally realize
possession of Taiwan and the shifting of Asian dominance from China to Japan. The Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed
in 1895 ceding Taiwan and the Pescadores over to Japan, which would rule the island for 50 years until its defeat in
World War II. Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) military occupation of Taiwan began on October 25, 1945 with
the surrender of Japanese troops. During the immediate postwar period, the Kuomintang (KMT) administration on
Taiwan was repressive and extremely corrupt compared with the previous Japanese rule, leading to local discontent.
Anti-mainlander violence flared on February 28, 1947, prompted by an incident in which a cigarette seller was injured
and a passerby was indiscriminately shot dead by Nationalist authorities (Kerr, 1966; pp. 254-255). For several weeks
after the February 28 Incident the rebels held control of much of the island. Feigning negotiation, the Nationalists
assembled a large military force (carried on United States naval vessels) that attacked Taiwan, massacring nearly 30,000
Taiwanese and imprisoning thousands of others. In October 1949 the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) was founded
on the mainland by the victorious communists; several months before, Chiang Kai-shek had established a "provisional"
ROC capital in Taipei and moved his government there from Nanjing, thus becoming a government in exile. Under
Nationalist rule, the mainlanders dominated the government and civil service forcing 37,000 Taiwanese out of the
government sector. In the 1952 San Francisco Peace Treaty, Japan renounced all right, claim, and title to Taiwan, but
no "receiving country" was specified. Hence, although Chiang Kai-shek's ROC government retained its position as the
sole legal government of China in the world community, it was not internationally recognized as the legal government of
Taiwan. The introduction of popular elections in Taiwan means that except for the most extreme Taiwan independence
supporters, supporters of the popular sovereignty theory no longer see a conflict between this theory of sovereignty and
the ROC's position that it is the current sovereign government of Taiwan, Kinmen, the Pescadores and the Matsu
Islands. In fact, Chen Shui-bian has often promoted the popular sovereignty theory by emphasizing it in his speeches.
Nevertheless, under international law, the consideration of "territorial sovereignty" is a completely separate issue, and for
the ROC to claim the territorial sovereignty of Formosa and the Pescadores, it would have to produce (1) international
treaty references which clearly show that the territorial sovereignty of these areas has been awarded to the ROC, and
(2) relevant documentation to prove that these areas have been incorporated into the ROC national territory via the
provisions of Article 4 of the ROC Constitution. Since the ROC government is unable to produce these legal references,
so it is not recognized as a sovereign nation by the world community or the United Nations.
Sources: Wikipedia: History of Taiwan
the original inhabitants, but distinctive jadeware, and corded pottery of the Changpin, Puyuma and Tapenkeng
(Dapenkeng) cultures show a marked diversity in the island's early inhabitants. Today's Taiwan's aboriginal peoples are
classified as belonging to the Austronesian ethno-linguistic group of people, a linguistic group that stretches as far west as
Madagascar, to Easter Island in the east and to New Zealand in the south with Taiwan as the northern most point.
Austronesian culture on Taiwan begins about 4,000 B.C. Several entries that may refer to Taiwan appear in Chinese
historical records, but otherwise no records exist of Taiwan in the early period. Between 607 and 610, some generals of
Sui Dynasty embarked on several military operations on Liuqiu, described in the Book of Sui. Many scholars think that
the Liuqiu of the Sui Dynasty was what is the island of Taiwan. In 1292, Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty tried to force
minorities in Yizhou to pay tribute. Between 1335 and 1340, Wang Dayuan wrote a book which describes Liuqiu after
he had visited it. In 1375, the Ming Dynasty dispatched a delegation to the now Ryūkyū Islands. Thereafter the Han
referred to the Ryūkyū Islands as "Liuqiu" and an island south of the Ryūkyū Islands as "little Liuqiu" which may be the
island of Taiwan. Between 1403 and 1424, the great fleet of Ming Dynasty's admiral Zheng He possibly visited Taiwan.
Portuguese sailors, passing Taiwan in 1544, first jotted in a ship's log the name of the island "Ilha Formosa", meaning
Beautiful Island. In 1582 the survivors of a Portuguese shipwreck spent ten weeks battling malaria and aborigines before
returning to Macau on a raft. Dutch traders, in search of an Asian base first arrived on the island at the request of the
Ming court in 1623 to use the island as a base for Dutch commerce with Japan and the coastal areas of China. The
Spanish and allies established a settlement at Santissima Trinidad, building Fort San Salvador on the northwest coast of
Taiwan near Keelung in 1626 which they occupied until 1642 when they were driven out by a joint Dutch-Aborigine
invasion force. They also built a fort in Tamsui (1628) but already abandoned it in 1638. The Dutch later built Fort
Anthonio here (1642), which still stands (now part of the Fort San Domingo museum complex). The Dutch East India
Company (VOC) administered the island and its predominantly aboriginal population until 1662, setting up a tax system,
schools to teach romanized script of aboriginal languages and evangelizing. Japan had sought to claim sovereignty over
Taiwan (known as Takayama Koku) since 1592, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi undertook a policy of overseas expansion
and extending Japanese influence southward [1]. Korea, to the west, was invaded and an attempt to invade Taiwan and
subsequent invasion attempts were to be unsuccessful due mainly to disease and attacks by aborigines on the island. In
1609, the Tokugawa Shogunate sent Haruno Arima on an exploratory mission of the island. In 1616, Murayama Toan
led an unsuccessful invasion of the island. In 1871, an Okinawan vessel shipwrecked on the southern tip of Taiwan and
the crew of 54 were beheaded by the Botan aborigines. When Japan sought compensation from Qing China, the court
rejected compensation on the account that they didn't have jurisdiction over the island. This was to lead to Japan testing
the situation for colonizing the island and in 1874 an expedition force of 3,000 troops were sent to the island . It was not
until the defeat of the Chinese navy during the First Sino-Japanese War in 1894-95 was Japan to finally realize
possession of Taiwan and the shifting of Asian dominance from China to Japan. The Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed
in 1895 ceding Taiwan and the Pescadores over to Japan, which would rule the island for 50 years until its defeat in
World War II. Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) military occupation of Taiwan began on October 25, 1945 with
the surrender of Japanese troops. During the immediate postwar period, the Kuomintang (KMT) administration on
Taiwan was repressive and extremely corrupt compared with the previous Japanese rule, leading to local discontent.
Anti-mainlander violence flared on February 28, 1947, prompted by an incident in which a cigarette seller was injured
and a passerby was indiscriminately shot dead by Nationalist authorities (Kerr, 1966; pp. 254-255). For several weeks
after the February 28 Incident the rebels held control of much of the island. Feigning negotiation, the Nationalists
assembled a large military force (carried on United States naval vessels) that attacked Taiwan, massacring nearly 30,000
Taiwanese and imprisoning thousands of others. In October 1949 the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) was founded
on the mainland by the victorious communists; several months before, Chiang Kai-shek had established a "provisional"
ROC capital in Taipei and moved his government there from Nanjing, thus becoming a government in exile. Under
Nationalist rule, the mainlanders dominated the government and civil service forcing 37,000 Taiwanese out of the
government sector. In the 1952 San Francisco Peace Treaty, Japan renounced all right, claim, and title to Taiwan, but
no "receiving country" was specified. Hence, although Chiang Kai-shek's ROC government retained its position as the
sole legal government of China in the world community, it was not internationally recognized as the legal government of
Taiwan. The introduction of popular elections in Taiwan means that except for the most extreme Taiwan independence
supporters, supporters of the popular sovereignty theory no longer see a conflict between this theory of sovereignty and
the ROC's position that it is the current sovereign government of Taiwan, Kinmen, the Pescadores and the Matsu
Islands. In fact, Chen Shui-bian has often promoted the popular sovereignty theory by emphasizing it in his speeches.
Nevertheless, under international law, the consideration of "territorial sovereignty" is a completely separate issue, and for
the ROC to claim the territorial sovereignty of Formosa and the Pescadores, it would have to produce (1) international
treaty references which clearly show that the territorial sovereignty of these areas has been awarded to the ROC, and
(2) relevant documentation to prove that these areas have been incorporated into the ROC national territory via the
provisions of Article 4 of the ROC Constitution. Since the ROC government is unable to produce these legal references,
so it is not recognized as a sovereign nation by the world community or the United Nations.
Sources: Wikipedia: History of Taiwan
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
The second National Assembly, elected in 1991, was composed of 325 members. The majority was elected directly;
100 were chosen from party slates in proportion to the popular vote. This National Assembly amended the constitution
in 1994, paving the way for the direct election of the president and vice president that was held in March, 1996. The
National Assembly retained the authority to amend the constitution, to recall or to impeach the president or vice
president, and to ratify select senior-level presidential appointments. In April 2000, the members of the National
Assembly voted to permit their terms of office to expire without holding new elections. They also determined that such
an election would be called in the event the National Assembly is needed to decide a presidential recall or a
constitutional amendment. In recent years, the National Assembly has handed most of its powers to the Legislative
Yuan, including the power of impeachment. In 2005, the National Assembly permanently abolished itself by ratifying a
constitution amendment passed by the Legislative Yuan.
Amending the ROC constitution now requires the approval of three-fourths of the quorum of members of the
Legislative Yuan. This quorum requires at least three-fourths of all members of the Legislature. After passing by the
legislature, the amendment needs ratification from at least fifty percent of all eligible voters of the ROC regardless of
voter turnout.
Source: Wikipedia: Political status of Taiwan
100 were chosen from party slates in proportion to the popular vote. This National Assembly amended the constitution
in 1994, paving the way for the direct election of the president and vice president that was held in March, 1996. The
National Assembly retained the authority to amend the constitution, to recall or to impeach the president or vice
president, and to ratify select senior-level presidential appointments. In April 2000, the members of the National
Assembly voted to permit their terms of office to expire without holding new elections. They also determined that such
an election would be called in the event the National Assembly is needed to decide a presidential recall or a
constitutional amendment. In recent years, the National Assembly has handed most of its powers to the Legislative
Yuan, including the power of impeachment. In 2005, the National Assembly permanently abolished itself by ratifying a
constitution amendment passed by the Legislative Yuan.
Amending the ROC constitution now requires the approval of three-fourths of the quorum of members of the
Legislative Yuan. This quorum requires at least three-fourths of all members of the Legislature. After passing by the
legislature, the amendment needs ratification from at least fifty percent of all eligible voters of the ROC regardless of
voter turnout.
Source: Wikipedia: Political status of Taiwan
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign
trade. In keeping with this trend, some large, state-owned banks and industrial firms have been privatized. Exports, led
by electronics and machinery, generate about 70% of Taiwan's GDP growth, and have provided the primary impetus
for economic development. This heavy dependence on exports makes the economy vulnerable to downturns in world
demand. In 2009, Taiwan's GDP fell by 2.5%, due primarily to a 20% year-on-year decline in exports. Taiwan's
diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, and rapidly aging population are major long-term challenges. Free trade agreements
have proliferated in East Asia over the past several years, but so far Taiwan has been excluded from this greater
economic integration, largely for reasons of diplomacy. Taiwan's birth rate of only 1.2 child per woman is among the
lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues.
Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 accounting for 10.8% of the island's total
population as of the end of 2009. The island runs a large trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are the world's fourth
largest, behind China, Japan, and Russia. Since President MA Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, cross-Strait
economic ties have increased significantly. Since 2005 China has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's second-largest
source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taipei has
focused much of its economic recovery effort on improving cross-Strait economic integration. Three financial
memorandums of understanding, covering banking, securities, and insurance, took effect in mid-January 2010, opening
the island to greater investments from the Mainland's financial firms and institutional investors, and providing new
opportunities for Taiwan financial firms to operate in China. In January 2010, Taipei and Beijing began the first round of
cross-Strait negotiations on an economic cooperation framework agreement.
Sources: CIA World Factbook (select Taiwan)
trade. In keeping with this trend, some large, state-owned banks and industrial firms have been privatized. Exports, led
by electronics and machinery, generate about 70% of Taiwan's GDP growth, and have provided the primary impetus
for economic development. This heavy dependence on exports makes the economy vulnerable to downturns in world
demand. In 2009, Taiwan's GDP fell by 2.5%, due primarily to a 20% year-on-year decline in exports. Taiwan's
diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, and rapidly aging population are major long-term challenges. Free trade agreements
have proliferated in East Asia over the past several years, but so far Taiwan has been excluded from this greater
economic integration, largely for reasons of diplomacy. Taiwan's birth rate of only 1.2 child per woman is among the
lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues.
Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 accounting for 10.8% of the island's total
population as of the end of 2009. The island runs a large trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are the world's fourth
largest, behind China, Japan, and Russia. Since President MA Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, cross-Strait
economic ties have increased significantly. Since 2005 China has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's second-largest
source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taipei has
focused much of its economic recovery effort on improving cross-Strait economic integration. Three financial
memorandums of understanding, covering banking, securities, and insurance, took effect in mid-January 2010, opening
the island to greater investments from the Mainland's financial firms and institutional investors, and providing new
opportunities for Taiwan financial firms to operate in China. In January 2010, Taipei and Beijing began the first round of
cross-Strait negotiations on an economic cooperation framework agreement.
Sources: CIA World Factbook (select Taiwan)
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands;
the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally
binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by
Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited
islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China
Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting
the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally
binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by
Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited
islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China
Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan;
major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and
club drugs
major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and
club drugs
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Reports: Taiwan*
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Taiwan's population of 23 million is governed by a president and parliament chosen in multiparty elections. International observers
considered the January 2008 legislative elections and the March 2008 presidential election, which Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang
Party (KMT) won, free and fair. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
Taiwan generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, the following problems continued to be reported:
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Taiwan's population of 23 million is governed by a president and parliament chosen in multiparty elections. International observers
considered the January 2008 legislative elections and the March 2008 presidential election, which Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang
Party (KMT) won, free and fair. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
Taiwan generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, the following problems continued to be reported:
- corruption by officials,
- violence and discrimination against women,
- trafficking in persons,
- abuses of foreign workers.
Taiwan's UN Bid
Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Taiwan's allies for their proposals in support of Taiwan
submitted to the United Nations General Assembly
As the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will be convened on September 12, our diplomatic allies have
once again placed before it proposals in support of Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) wishes to express its heartfelt
gratitude for the friendship and support extended to us by our allies. We would also like to express our respect and appreciation to
those who support Taiwan based on the universal values of democracy, peace, human rights and justice, despite pressure from China.
This year we will continue to push for the adoption of the proposal regarding Taiwan’s UN participation and the proposal regarding
peace. UN representatives of sixteen of our diplomatic allies, including Burkina Faso, Solomon Islands, the Gambia, Palau, St. Vincent
and the Grenadines, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Belize, Malawi, Swaziland, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu, Saint Kitts and Nevis,
Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador have jointly sent a letter with the title “The Representation and Participation of the 23 Million
People of Taiwan on the United Nations” to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the afternoon of August 10th (E.S.T.). This
proposal requests that the UNGA recognize the representation rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan and invite Taiwan’s
representatives to participate in meetings and activities of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Having no diplomatic
delegation in New York, the Republic of Kiribati was unable to sign the aforementioned letter and thus sent a separate letter to express
its endorsement of this proposal.
In addition, UN representatives of fourteen of our diplomatic allies, including the Gambia, Palau, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands,
Nauru, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Malawi, Swaziland, Belize, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Nicaragua,
and Honduras, also jointly sent a letter with the title “A Proactive role for the United Nations in Maintaining Peace and Security in East
Asia” to Secretary-General Annan. This proposal calls on the United Nations to face up to the challenges regarding peace and security
in East Asia, such as the Taiwan Strait issue, by taking concrete and proactive action to promote peace, stability, security and
development in East Asian nations. The letter also calls on the United Nations to urge East Asian countries to resolve disputes through
peaceful means and improve military transparency and confidence-building. The proposal also calls for the adoption of necessary
measures based on real concerns in order to ease tension in the region. If necessary, parties in the disputes could be invited to present
their cases to the UN Security Council or General Assembly. It also asks Secretary-General Annan to report on ways to strengthen
security and increase cooperation in East Asia.
Click here to read more »
Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Taiwan's allies for their proposals in support of Taiwan
submitted to the United Nations General Assembly
As the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will be convened on September 12, our diplomatic allies have
once again placed before it proposals in support of Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) wishes to express its heartfelt
gratitude for the friendship and support extended to us by our allies. We would also like to express our respect and appreciation to
those who support Taiwan based on the universal values of democracy, peace, human rights and justice, despite pressure from China.
This year we will continue to push for the adoption of the proposal regarding Taiwan’s UN participation and the proposal regarding
peace. UN representatives of sixteen of our diplomatic allies, including Burkina Faso, Solomon Islands, the Gambia, Palau, St. Vincent
and the Grenadines, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Belize, Malawi, Swaziland, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu, Saint Kitts and Nevis,
Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador have jointly sent a letter with the title “The Representation and Participation of the 23 Million
People of Taiwan on the United Nations” to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the afternoon of August 10th (E.S.T.). This
proposal requests that the UNGA recognize the representation rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan and invite Taiwan’s
representatives to participate in meetings and activities of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Having no diplomatic
delegation in New York, the Republic of Kiribati was unable to sign the aforementioned letter and thus sent a separate letter to express
its endorsement of this proposal.
In addition, UN representatives of fourteen of our diplomatic allies, including the Gambia, Palau, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands,
Nauru, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Malawi, Swaziland, Belize, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Nicaragua,
and Honduras, also jointly sent a letter with the title “A Proactive role for the United Nations in Maintaining Peace and Security in East
Asia” to Secretary-General Annan. This proposal calls on the United Nations to face up to the challenges regarding peace and security
in East Asia, such as the Taiwan Strait issue, by taking concrete and proactive action to promote peace, stability, security and
development in East Asian nations. The letter also calls on the United Nations to urge East Asian countries to resolve disputes through
peaceful means and improve military transparency and confidence-building. The proposal also calls for the adoption of necessary
measures based on real concerns in order to ease tension in the region. If necessary, parties in the disputes could be invited to present
their cases to the UN Security Council or General Assembly. It also asks Secretary-General Annan to report on ways to strengthen
security and increase cooperation in East Asia.
Click here to read more »
FREEDOM IN THE WORLD REPORT- 2010
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 2
Status: Free
Ratings Change
Taiwan’s political rights rating improved from 2 to 1 due to enforcement of anticorruption laws, including the prosecution
of former high-ranking officials. However, the country’s civil liberties rating declined from 1 to 2 due to flaws in the
protection of criminal defendants’ rights and limitations on academic freedom, including passage of a law restraining
scholars at public educational facilities from participating in certain political activities.
Overview
Former president Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party was sentenced to life in prison on corruption charges in
September 2009, though some observers raised concerns over flaws in the handling of his and other corruption cases. Following
criticism of the government’s response to Typhoon Morakot, Prime Minister Liu Chao-shiuan resigned in September. The
Kuomintang government continued to improve relations with China during the year, leading to Taiwanese participation in UN-
affiliated institutions for the first time since 1971. However, there were also growing concerns over restrictions on free expression,
including limitations on academic freedom and pressure to limit criticism of Taiwanese and Chinese government policy.
The KMT government’s popularity was hurt during 2009 by the effects of the global economic downturn, although the economy
had begun to recover by year’s end. Separately, Prime Minister Liu Chao-shiuan was replaced by former KMT secretary general
Wu Den-yih in September amidst a broader cabinet reshuffle after the government drew criticism for its slow response to Typhoon
Morakot. The natural disaster caused over 500 deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in August.
The DPP won an important parliamentary by-election in September, giving it a quarter of the LY and increased oversight powers,
including the ability to petition the Constitutional Court for interpretations of the validity of official policies and actions. The KMT
retained a majority of the contested posts in December local elections, but the DPP made notable gains.
The Ma administration continued its policy of establishing closer relations with the PRC government in 2009. Bilateral talks led to
agreements on mutual judicial and law enforcement assistance, loosened Taiwanese restrictions on mainland investment, and the
removal of PRC objections to Taiwan’s participation—with observer status under the name “Chinese Taipei”—in the World Health
Assembly. This enabled Taiwanese representatives to partake in a UN specialized agency event for the first time since 1971.
Though many Taiwanese supported improved economic ties with China, critics argued that the administration was conceding
elements of Taiwan’s sovereignty, moving too quickly, and acting with minimal transparency. Several incidents during 2009 stoked
fears that growing economic and diplomatic reliance on the PRC would increase pressure to self-censor on issues Beijing deemed
sensitive or important. For example, the government in September refused to issue a visa to Rebiya Kadeer, a prominent advocate
for the rights of China’s Uighur minority. Meanwhile, Beijing maintained an aggressive legal and military stance on the prospect of
eventual Taiwanese independence; an estimated 1,300 missiles remained aimed at the island at year’s end.
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Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 2
Status: Free
Ratings Change
Taiwan’s political rights rating improved from 2 to 1 due to enforcement of anticorruption laws, including the prosecution
of former high-ranking officials. However, the country’s civil liberties rating declined from 1 to 2 due to flaws in the
protection of criminal defendants’ rights and limitations on academic freedom, including passage of a law restraining
scholars at public educational facilities from participating in certain political activities.
Overview
Former president Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party was sentenced to life in prison on corruption charges in
September 2009, though some observers raised concerns over flaws in the handling of his and other corruption cases. Following
criticism of the government’s response to Typhoon Morakot, Prime Minister Liu Chao-shiuan resigned in September. The
Kuomintang government continued to improve relations with China during the year, leading to Taiwanese participation in UN-
affiliated institutions for the first time since 1971. However, there were also growing concerns over restrictions on free expression,
including limitations on academic freedom and pressure to limit criticism of Taiwanese and Chinese government policy.
The KMT government’s popularity was hurt during 2009 by the effects of the global economic downturn, although the economy
had begun to recover by year’s end. Separately, Prime Minister Liu Chao-shiuan was replaced by former KMT secretary general
Wu Den-yih in September amidst a broader cabinet reshuffle after the government drew criticism for its slow response to Typhoon
Morakot. The natural disaster caused over 500 deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in August.
The DPP won an important parliamentary by-election in September, giving it a quarter of the LY and increased oversight powers,
including the ability to petition the Constitutional Court for interpretations of the validity of official policies and actions. The KMT
retained a majority of the contested posts in December local elections, but the DPP made notable gains.
The Ma administration continued its policy of establishing closer relations with the PRC government in 2009. Bilateral talks led to
agreements on mutual judicial and law enforcement assistance, loosened Taiwanese restrictions on mainland investment, and the
removal of PRC objections to Taiwan’s participation—with observer status under the name “Chinese Taipei”—in the World Health
Assembly. This enabled Taiwanese representatives to partake in a UN specialized agency event for the first time since 1971.
Though many Taiwanese supported improved economic ties with China, critics argued that the administration was conceding
elements of Taiwan’s sovereignty, moving too quickly, and acting with minimal transparency. Several incidents during 2009 stoked
fears that growing economic and diplomatic reliance on the PRC would increase pressure to self-censor on issues Beijing deemed
sensitive or important. For example, the government in September refused to issue a visa to Rebiya Kadeer, a prominent advocate
for the rights of China’s Uighur minority. Meanwhile, Beijing maintained an aggressive legal and military stance on the prospect of
eventual Taiwanese independence; an estimated 1,300 missiles remained aimed at the island at year’s end.
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Document - Taiwan: Abolition of the Death Penalty in Taiwan: a Further Serious Setback
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
3 June 2010
Amnesty International is deeply disappointed that Taiwan’s Constitutional Court has rejected a petition to halt executions made on
behalf of 44 death row inmates. The petition, filed by the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP), argued that Taiwan’s
application of the death penalty was unconstitutional and violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Amnesty International considers the death penalty the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and a violation of the right to
life.
Amnesty International urges the government of Taiwan not to carry out executions and to make concrete progress towards its long
stated goal to abolish the death penalty.
The brief decision published on 28 May by the Justices of the Constitutional Court made scant reference to the ICCPR and other
international standards Taiwan has chosen to be bound by. These standards require that proceedings leading to the imposition of the
death penalty must at every stage conform to the highest fair trial standards.
The Justices rejected lawyers’ arguments that under current Taiwan law
a) provisions for legal representation, particularly at the final stage trials, are inadequate, and violate fair trial guarantees in the ICCPR
(article 14).
b) opportunities to debate appropriate sentencing during trials are inadequate and could lead to arbitrary executions violating the
ICCPR (article 6).
Amnesty International believes such arguments deserve the most careful scrutiny as executions following inadequate, unfair trials
would certainly violate the right to life.
By resuming executions the government in Taiwan is out of step with global trends. Across the world, more than two thirds of
countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice and in 2009 only 18 countries were known to have carried out executions.
Click here to read more »
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
3 June 2010
Amnesty International is deeply disappointed that Taiwan’s Constitutional Court has rejected a petition to halt executions made on
behalf of 44 death row inmates. The petition, filed by the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP), argued that Taiwan’s
application of the death penalty was unconstitutional and violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Amnesty International considers the death penalty the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and a violation of the right to
life.
Amnesty International urges the government of Taiwan not to carry out executions and to make concrete progress towards its long
stated goal to abolish the death penalty.
The brief decision published on 28 May by the Justices of the Constitutional Court made scant reference to the ICCPR and other
international standards Taiwan has chosen to be bound by. These standards require that proceedings leading to the imposition of the
death penalty must at every stage conform to the highest fair trial standards.
The Justices rejected lawyers’ arguments that under current Taiwan law
a) provisions for legal representation, particularly at the final stage trials, are inadequate, and violate fair trial guarantees in the ICCPR
(article 14).
b) opportunities to debate appropriate sentencing during trials are inadequate and could lead to arbitrary executions violating the
ICCPR (article 6).
Amnesty International believes such arguments deserve the most careful scrutiny as executions following inadequate, unfair trials
would certainly violate the right to life.
By resuming executions the government in Taiwan is out of step with global trends. Across the world, more than two thirds of
countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice and in 2009 only 18 countries were known to have carried out executions.
Click here to read more »
Taiwan
Taiwan: Child Soldiers Global Report 2001
From the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
It is not known if there are any under-18s in the armed forces due to a lack of information on the minimum voluntary recruitment
age. Reports from the early and mid-90s indicated the recruitment of children as young as 15 and raised concerns for their physical
safety. It is unclear whether child recruitment is an ongoing problem and human rights observers say they are not aware of such
reports.
June 12, 2001
Taiwan: Landmine Monitor Report 2000
Key developments since March 1999: For the first time, a senior official made a clear statement of support for a comprehensive
ban on antipersonnel mines. Mine clearance continued on Kinmen Island. On 10 July 1999, Vice President Lien Chan said, "Hereby
I would like to declare that the government of the Republic of China will give all-out support to ban production, use, storage, and
transportation of landmines."118 Taiwan is not eligible to sign the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. It is not a member of the United Nations.
August 1, 2000
Click here to read more »
Taiwan: Child Soldiers Global Report 2001
From the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
It is not known if there are any under-18s in the armed forces due to a lack of information on the minimum voluntary recruitment
age. Reports from the early and mid-90s indicated the recruitment of children as young as 15 and raised concerns for their physical
safety. It is unclear whether child recruitment is an ongoing problem and human rights observers say they are not aware of such
reports.
June 12, 2001
Taiwan: Landmine Monitor Report 2000
Key developments since March 1999: For the first time, a senior official made a clear statement of support for a comprehensive
ban on antipersonnel mines. Mine clearance continued on Kinmen Island. On 10 July 1999, Vice President Lien Chan said, "Hereby
I would like to declare that the government of the Republic of China will give all-out support to ban production, use, storage, and
transportation of landmines."118 Taiwan is not eligible to sign the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. It is not a member of the United Nations.
August 1, 2000
Click here to read more »
Observations of President Ma Ying-jeou on the June 4th Incident
Post Date：2010/6/7
Today marks the 21st anniversary of the June 4th Incident in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
We remember this date in history, just as we remember unfortunate chapters in Taiwan's past, including the February 28th
Incident in 1947 and the White Terror of the 1950s. We earnestly hope that the mainland China authorities will learn a lesson from
our experience in Taiwan, and take an unblinking look at what happened during the June 4th Incident. We call upon them to learn a
lesson from this historically significant human rights incident, and to ensure that it is never repeated. We also hope that they will
take the steps necessary to redress the pain and injustice suffered by the victims and their families.
From the perspective of history, when conflict between a government and its people ends in bloodshed, it is the government that
must take principal responsibility, for it is the government that wields the power of the state. A government depends for its very
existence on the people's trust. When a government turns its weaponry against the people, it is not just the people who are injured.
The bond of trust between the people and the government is also harmed, and takes a long time to repair, so any government
dealing with this sort of problem must face the matter with courage. Maximum patience and forbearance are the tools it must use
in rebuilding trust.
We are all ethnically Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, so it follows that we should be supportive of each other, and
work together in a spirit of sincerity. Human rights issues have attracted much criticism from abroad, to be sure, but the mainland
China authorities have elevated Chinese culture back to a position of importance, and have worked hard to grow their economy
and improve the people's lives. These developments have left a deep impression on the people of Taiwan. Cross-strait relations
have taken a turn for the better in the past two years, and tensions have been greatly reduced. This welcome change has been very
well received by the people on both sides of the strait, and by the international community, as well.
Given the unprecedented set of historical circumstances in which we now find ourselves, we hope to see the mainland Chinese
authorities adopt an unprecedented new approach to human rights. They need to display robust good faith and self-confidence in
moving one step at a time to resolve the problems left behind by major human rights incidents of the past. They also need to treat
dissidents with greater lenience. This would help foster greater trust among the people of mainland China in their governing
authorities and, in the area of human rights, would inevitably go far toward narrowing the gap between the two sides of the
Taiwan Strait. What is more, it would convince people throughout the world that the rise of mainland China contributes not only to
the cause of peace, but is also a positive development from the standpoint of the universal values of freedom, democracy, and
human rights.
Click here to read more »
Post Date：2010/6/7
Today marks the 21st anniversary of the June 4th Incident in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
We remember this date in history, just as we remember unfortunate chapters in Taiwan's past, including the February 28th
Incident in 1947 and the White Terror of the 1950s. We earnestly hope that the mainland China authorities will learn a lesson from
our experience in Taiwan, and take an unblinking look at what happened during the June 4th Incident. We call upon them to learn a
lesson from this historically significant human rights incident, and to ensure that it is never repeated. We also hope that they will
take the steps necessary to redress the pain and injustice suffered by the victims and their families.
From the perspective of history, when conflict between a government and its people ends in bloodshed, it is the government that
must take principal responsibility, for it is the government that wields the power of the state. A government depends for its very
existence on the people's trust. When a government turns its weaponry against the people, it is not just the people who are injured.
The bond of trust between the people and the government is also harmed, and takes a long time to repair, so any government
dealing with this sort of problem must face the matter with courage. Maximum patience and forbearance are the tools it must use
in rebuilding trust.
We are all ethnically Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, so it follows that we should be supportive of each other, and
work together in a spirit of sincerity. Human rights issues have attracted much criticism from abroad, to be sure, but the mainland
China authorities have elevated Chinese culture back to a position of importance, and have worked hard to grow their economy
and improve the people's lives. These developments have left a deep impression on the people of Taiwan. Cross-strait relations
have taken a turn for the better in the past two years, and tensions have been greatly reduced. This welcome change has been very
well received by the people on both sides of the strait, and by the international community, as well.
Given the unprecedented set of historical circumstances in which we now find ourselves, we hope to see the mainland Chinese
authorities adopt an unprecedented new approach to human rights. They need to display robust good faith and self-confidence in
moving one step at a time to resolve the problems left behind by major human rights incidents of the past. They also need to treat
dissidents with greater lenience. This would help foster greater trust among the people of mainland China in their governing
authorities and, in the area of human rights, would inevitably go far toward narrowing the gap between the two sides of the
Taiwan Strait. What is more, it would convince people throughout the world that the rise of mainland China contributes not only to
the cause of peace, but is also a positive development from the standpoint of the universal values of freedom, democracy, and
human rights.
Click here to read more »
Forty death row inmates might be executed
2010/05/29 13:42:59
The Constitutional Court on Friday rejected an application for a constitutional interpretation submitted by a group advocating the
end of the death penalty, paving the way for the execution of the 40 convicts on death row. The first ones could be killed as soon
as next week after four executions took place in late April — the first since December 2005.
The Judicial Yuan called a press conference later Friday to explain why the petition was not accepted.
The following are excerpts from local media coverage of the issue:
The Liberty Times:
At a seminar with Chiayi district prosecutors Friday, Minister of Justice Tseng Yung-fu said that there is no set timetable for the
executions of the 40 death row prisoners. He added, however, that those who had committed the most brutal crimes would be a
priority.
The Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty, which filed for the constitutional interpretation on behalf of the 40 death row
inmates, voiced regret at the Constitutional Court’s decision. The group said it will call a news conference next week to explain its
position and declare its plans.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the Ministry of Justice has started working on a set of regulations on how executions are carried
out.
It is widely believed that prisoners sentenced to death will have only one chance to file for a constitutional interpretation, largely
reducing the possibility of anti-death penalty groups delaying the process. (May 28, 2010).
Click here to read more »
2010/05/29 13:42:59
The Constitutional Court on Friday rejected an application for a constitutional interpretation submitted by a group advocating the
end of the death penalty, paving the way for the execution of the 40 convicts on death row. The first ones could be killed as soon
as next week after four executions took place in late April — the first since December 2005.
The Judicial Yuan called a press conference later Friday to explain why the petition was not accepted.
The following are excerpts from local media coverage of the issue:
The Liberty Times:
At a seminar with Chiayi district prosecutors Friday, Minister of Justice Tseng Yung-fu said that there is no set timetable for the
executions of the 40 death row prisoners. He added, however, that those who had committed the most brutal crimes would be a
priority.
The Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty, which filed for the constitutional interpretation on behalf of the 40 death row
inmates, voiced regret at the Constitutional Court’s decision. The group said it will call a news conference next week to explain its
position and declare its plans.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the Ministry of Justice has started working on a set of regulations on how executions are carried
out.
It is widely believed that prisoners sentenced to death will have only one chance to file for a constitutional interpretation, largely
reducing the possibility of anti-death penalty groups delaying the process. (May 28, 2010).
Click here to read more »
Vice President Chen of the Control Yuan Meets Members of the National Development Superior Course
2010/5/31
Vice President Chen Jinn-lih of the Control Yuan met members of the National Development Superior Delegation on May 27,
2010. The delegation from the Ministry of National Defense included 25 superior chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force from
Central and South America. The main purpose of the visit was to understand the operations of our constitutional system as well as
the functions and powers of the Control Yuan. Vice President Chen noted that many countries in Central and South America are at
A level according to the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions in their promotion and
protection of human rights. This indicates that these countries have been putting a great efforts to improve their human rights.
During the visit, the members of the delegation exchanged opinions on issues including the qualification and appointment
procedures for the members (Ombudsmen) of the Control Yuan, as well as the functions and powers of the Control Yuan, and
protection policy for aborigines in Taiwan and other matters. At the end of the meeting, Contralmirante Rios, Commanding
General of the Combined Logistics Command of Perú, represented the delegation to present their appreciation for the warm
reception by the Control Yuan, and also spoke highly of the performance of the Control Yuan in solving people’s complaints.
Click here to read more »
2010/5/31
Vice President Chen Jinn-lih of the Control Yuan met members of the National Development Superior Delegation on May 27,
2010. The delegation from the Ministry of National Defense included 25 superior chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force from
Central and South America. The main purpose of the visit was to understand the operations of our constitutional system as well as
the functions and powers of the Control Yuan. Vice President Chen noted that many countries in Central and South America are at
A level according to the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions in their promotion and
protection of human rights. This indicates that these countries have been putting a great efforts to improve their human rights.
During the visit, the members of the delegation exchanged opinions on issues including the qualification and appointment
procedures for the members (Ombudsmen) of the Control Yuan, as well as the functions and powers of the Control Yuan, and
protection policy for aborigines in Taiwan and other matters. At the end of the meeting, Contralmirante Rios, Commanding
General of the Combined Logistics Command of Perú, represented the delegation to present their appreciation for the warm
reception by the Control Yuan, and also spoke highly of the performance of the Control Yuan in solving people’s complaints.
Click here to read more »
Vincent Siew
Vice President since 20 May 2008
Vice President since 20 May 2008
Sean Chen
Vice Premier
(Vice President of the Executive Yuan)
Since 17 May 2010
Vice Premier
(Vice President of the Executive Yuan)
Since 17 May 2010
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| INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
