120-1212: Lai Ching-te ( DPP ) Hsiao Bi-khim ( DPP ) Cho Jung-tai ( DPP ) 11th Legislative Yuan Han Kuo-yu ( KMT ) Shieh Ming-yan acting Vacant Vacant Vacant Control Yuan Chen Chu Lee Hung-chun Local government Central Election Commission Kuomintang Democratic Progressive Party Taiwan People's Party Others New Power Party Taiwan Statebuilding Party People First Party Taiwan Solidarity Union New Party Non-Partisan Solidarity Union Newspapers United Daily News Liberty Times China Times Taipei Times Propaganda Censorship Film censorship Lin Chia-lung Cross-Strait relations Special state-to-state relations One Country on Each Side 1992 Consensus Taiwan consensus Chinese Taipei Australia–Taiwan relations Canada–Taiwan relations France–Taiwan relations Russia–Taiwan relations Taiwan–United Kingdom relations Taiwan–United States relations Republic of China (1912–1949) Chinese Civil War One-China policy China and
240-655: A Bachelor of Science (BS) in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He then went to Tainan to enter National Cheng Kung University , where he completed its Post-Baccalaureate Medicine Program in 1991 and earned a Doctor of Medicine (MD). After graduating from medical school, Lai went to the United States to study at the Harvard School of Public Health for a Master of Public Health , followed by an internship at National Cheng Kung University Hospital . He became an expert on spinal cord damage and served as
360-550: A broad range of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to life , freedom of expression , protection against enslavement , and access to education . The modern concept of human rights gained significant prominence after World War II , particularly in response to the atrocities of the Holocaust , leading to the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by
480-514: A campaign to draft a referendum law as well as a new constitution, a move which appealed to the fundamentalist wing of the DPP. By now, the New Tide faction had begun to favor pragmatic approaches to their pro-independence goals and dominated decision-making positions within the party. By contrast, grassroots support was divided largely between moderate and fundamentalist wings. Though Chen's plans for
600-494: A candidate in the 1998 Legislative Yuan election , representing the Democratic Progressive Party in the second ward of Tainan City. He was successful in this election, and subsequently was reelected three times in 2001 , 2004 , and 2008 . In total he served 11 years as a legislator, and was selected as Taiwan's "Best Legislator" four times in a row by Taipei -based NGO Citizen Congress Watch. With
720-552: A central focus in international relations and legal frameworks, supported by institutions such as the United Nations, various non-governmental organizations, and national bodies dedicated to monitoring and enforcing human rights standards worldwide. Many of the basic ideas that animated the human rights movement developed in the aftermath of the Second World War and the events of the Holocaust , culminating in
840-422: A country's population economically in order dampen that population's view of its government. It is also argued that, counterproductively, sanctions on offending authoritarian governments strengthen that government's position domestically as governments would still have more mechanisms to find funding than their critics and opposition, who become further weakened. The risk of human rights violations increases with
960-579: A given country. Although not all NHRIs are compliant with the Paris Principles, the number and effect of these institutions is increasing. The Paris Principles were defined at the first International Workshop on National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Paris on 7–9 October 1991, and adopted by United Nations Human Rights Commission Resolution 1992/54 of 1992 and
1080-618: A mandate to investigate alleged human rights violations. 47 of the 193 UN member states sit on the council, elected by simple majority in a secret ballot of the United Nations General Assembly . Members serve a maximum of six years and may have their membership suspended for gross human rights abuses. The council is based in Geneva , and meets three times a year; with additional meetings to respond to urgent situations. Independent experts ( rapporteurs ) are retained by
1200-675: A mandate to promote and safeguard certain of the rights later included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): the primary goal of the ILO today is to promote opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a non-binding declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, partly in response to
1320-461: A national consultant for such injuries. After serving as part of the support team for Chen Ding-nan 's unsuccessful electoral bid for Governor of Taiwan Province in 1994, Lai decided to enter politics himself. The next opportunity for election to a national body was the 1996 National Assembly , with Lai winning a seat representing Tainan City. Lai then joined the New Tide faction and stood as
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#17327651745571440-567: A reaction to slavery, torture, genocide, and war crimes. The medieval natural law tradition was heavily influenced by the writings of St Paul's early Christian thinkers such as St Hilary of Poitiers , St Ambrose , and St Augustine . Augustine was among the earliest to examine the legitimacy of the laws of man, and attempt to define the boundaries of what laws and rights occur naturally based on wisdom and conscience, instead of being arbitrarily imposed by mortals, and if people are obligated to obey laws that are unjust . The Kouroukan Fouga
1560-474: A referendum on a new constitution were scuttled by the legislature, he did manage to include a largely symbolic referendum on the PRC military threat to coincide with the 2004 presidential election . President Chen Shui-bian would be narrowly re-elected in 2004 after an assassination attempt the day before the election, and in the later legislative election , the pan-blue coalition opposition retained control of
1680-495: A result of his strong showing in the mayoral election coupled with his relative youth and his control of the DPP heartland city of Tainan, Lai was considered to be a potential candidate for a presidential run in 2016. In 2013 an opinion poll ranked Lai as the most popular of the 22 city and county heads in Taiwan, with an approval rating of 87%. Lai made on 5 June 2014 a visit to the city of Shanghai to assist an exhibition of art by
1800-493: A typology of six paradigms of action that agents, such as human rights agencies, international organizations, individual states, and NGOs , could use to enforce human rights: (1) accountability, (2) inducement, (3) assistance, (4) domestic contestation and engagement, (5) compulsion, and (6) external adaptation. Responsibility to protect refers to a doctrine for United Nations member states to intervene to protect populations from atrocities. It has been cited as justification in
1920-624: A unified political unit and consisted of factions which carried over into the early DPP. At its founding the DPP consisted of three factions: the Kang group, a moderate faction led by Kang Ning-hsiang , New Tide faction , consisting of intellectuals and social activists led by Wu Nai-ren and Chiou I-jen , and the Progress Faction led by Lin Cheng-chieh , a waishengren opposed to independence. Moderates would later coalesce around
2040-642: Is a quasi-judicial organ of the African Union tasked with promoting and protecting human rights and collective (peoples') rights throughout the African continent as well as interpreting the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and considering individual complaints of violations of the Charter. The commission has three broad areas of responsibility: In pursuit of these goals, the commission
2160-689: Is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States, also based in Washington, D.C. Along with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights , based in San José , Costa Rica, it is one of the bodies that comprise the inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights. The IACHR is a permanent body which meets in regular and special sessions several times a year to examine allegations of human rights violations in
2280-749: Is an international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States. Its members are the thirty-five independent states of the Americas. Over the course of the 1990s, with the end of the Cold War , the return to democracy in Latin America, and the thrust toward globalization , the OAS made major efforts to reinvent itself to fit the new context. Its stated priorities now include the following: The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (the IACHR)
2400-410: Is mandated to "collect documents, undertake studies and researches on African problems in the field of human and peoples, rights, organise seminars, symposia and conferences, disseminate information, encourage national and local institutions concerned with human and peoples' rights and, should the case arise, give its views or make recommendations to governments" (Charter, Art. 45). With the creation of
2520-488: Is now considered to be a central component of international customary law which may be invoked under appropriate circumstances by state judiciaries and other judiciaries. In 1966, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) were adopted by the United Nations, between them making the rights contained in
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#17327651745572640-907: Is supported by the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW). CEDAW formerly held all its sessions at United Nations headquarters in New York but now frequently meets at the United Nations Office in Geneva; the other treaty bodies meet in Geneva. The Human Rights Committee usually holds its March session in New York City. The human rights enshrined in the UDHR, the Geneva Conventions and the various enforced treaties of
2760-471: Is widely accepted, debates persist regarding which rights should take precedence, how they should be implemented, and their applicability in different cultural contexts. Criticisms often arise from perspectives like cultural relativism , which argue that individual human rights are inappropriate for societies that prioritise a communal or collectivist identity, and may conflict with certain cultural or traditional practices. Nonetheless, human rights remain
2880-539: The Tangwai movement , which formed in opposition to the Kuomintang 's one-party authoritarian rule under the " party-state " system during martial law . This movement culminated in the formation of the DPP as an alternative, but still illegal, party on 28 September 1986 by eighteen organizing members at Grand Hotel Taipei , with a total of 132 people joining the party in attendance. The new party members contested
3000-488: The 1986 election as "nonpartisan" candidates since competing parties would remain illegal until the following year. These early members of the party, like the tangwai , drew heavily from the ranks of family members and defense lawyers of political prisoners, as well as intellectuals and artists who had spent time abroad. These individuals were strongly committed to political change toward democracy and freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association. The tangwai were not
3120-730: The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (under a protocol to the Charter which was adopted in 1998 and entered into force in January 2004), the commission will have the additional task of preparing cases for submission to the Court's jurisdiction. In a July 2004 decision, the AU Assembly resolved that the future Court on Human and Peoples' Rights would be integrated with the African Court of Justice. The Court of Justice of
3240-579: The Central Election Commission along with his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim . Lai claimed victory on 13 January 2024, marking the first time that a political party had won three consecutive presidential terms since direct elections were first held in 1996 . On 13 January 2024, Lai was elected president of the Republic of China with approximately 40% of the vote, and was inaugurated on 20 May 2024. Under Lai, Taiwan continued
3360-526: The Pan-Blue Coalition . It has traditionally been associated with a strong advocacy of human rights , emerging against the authoritarian White Terror that was initiated by the KMT, as well as the promotion of Taiwanese nationalism and identity . Lai Ching-te is the current chairperson of the DPP from 2023, who also serves as the incumbent President and is the third member of the DPP to hold
3480-399: The United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This document outlined a comprehensive framework of rights that countries are encouraged to protect, setting a global standard for human dignity , freedom, and justice. The UDHR has since inspired numerous international treaties and national laws designed to promote and safeguard these rights globally. While the principle of universal human rights
3600-1064: The United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council , and there are numerous committees within the UN with responsibilities for safeguarding different human rights treaties. The most senior body of the UN with regard to human rights is the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The United Nations has an international mandate to: ... achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. The UN Human Rights Council, created in 2005, has
3720-485: The Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776 encoded into law a number of fundamental civil rights and civil freedoms. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Philosophers such as Thomas Paine , John Stuart Mill , and Hegel expanded on
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3840-599: The chair of the DPP since 2023. Born to a working-class family in Taipei County , Lai studied medicine at National Taiwan University and National Cheng Kung University before earning a master's degree from Harvard University in 2003. After serving as the president of the National Physician Support Association, Lai ran in the 1996 Legislative Yuan election , winning a seat representing Tainan City . After being re-elected to
3960-433: The common law and many later constitutional documents related to human rights, such as the 1689 English Bill of Rights , the 1789 United States Constitution , and the 1791 United States Bill of Rights . 17th century English philosopher John Locke discussed natural rights in his work, identifying them as being "life, liberty, and estate (property)", and argued that such fundamental rights could not be surrendered in
4080-912: The social contract . In Britain in 1689, the English Bill of Rights and the Scottish Claim of Right each made a range of oppressive governmental actions, illegal. Two major revolutions occurred during the 18th century, in the United States (1776) and in France (1789), leading to the United States Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen respectively, both of which articulated certain human rights. Additionally,
4200-649: The 1864 Lieber Code and the first of the Geneva Conventions in 1864 laid the foundations of International humanitarian law , to be further developed following the two World Wars. The League of Nations was established in 1919 at the negotiations over the Treaty of Versailles following the end of World War I . The League's goals included disarmament, preventing war through collective security, settling disputes between countries through negotiation, diplomacy and improving global welfare. Enshrined in its Charter
4320-523: The 2010 reorganization of the municipalities in Taiwan, Tainan City and Tainan County were amalgamated into a single municipality, called Tainan . After successfully being selected in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) primaries in January 2010, Lai stood as the DPP candidate for the mayoral election on 27 November 2010, gaining 60.41% to defeat Kuomintang candidate Kuo Tien-tsai. He took office on 25 December 2010. As
4440-530: The 2020 presidential election. On 28 September, the New Party called on the KMT to join it in filing a formal complaint against the Premier for sedition . In October 2017, it was reported that Lai had garnered the approval of 68.8 percent of respondents in a survey, while 23 percent expressed dissatisfaction. However, critics say that his popularity may not last, due to his rapid reversal of his position on
4560-411: The 8th president of the Republic of China ( Taiwan ) since May 2024. He is the third member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to assume the office of president and the first whose predecessor was also a DPP member. He is also the third incumbent vice president to succeed to the presidency and the first to assume the office through election instead of immediate succession. He has also served as
4680-469: The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights entered into force in January 2004, but its merging with the Court of Justice has delayed its establishment. The Protocol establishing the Court of Justice will come into force when ratified by 15 countries. There are many countries in Africa accused of human rights violations by the international community and NGOs. The Organization of American States (OAS)
4800-539: The African Union is intended to be the "principal judicial organ of the Union" (Protocol of the Court of Justice of the African Union, Article 2.2). Although it has not yet been established, it is intended to take over the duties of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, as well as act as the supreme court of the African Union, interpreting all necessary laws and treaties. The Protocol establishing
4920-537: The Chinese nation from achieving complete reunification " and "halt the process of national rejuvenation" due to the party's outspoken advocacy of the Taiwanese nationalism , its supportive attitude to Taiwanese enjoying the right to decide their own future , and its firm opposition to the notion of " One China ", including the alleged " 1992 Consensus " narratives by both the PRC and the KMT. The DPP's roots were in
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5040-605: The DPP as a mechanism for coalition-building within the party; notably, future President Chen Shui-bian would form the Justice Alliance faction . The DPP won the presidency with the election of Chen Shui-bian in March 2000 with a plurality, due to Pan-Blue voters splitting their vote between the Kuomintang and independent candidate James Soong , ending 91 years of KMT rule in the Republic of China. Chen softened
5160-470: The DPP as a ruling party chooses to keep the status quo of Taiwan, instead of approaching de jure independence, despite being a pro- independence group in its party platform . The party considers that Taiwan is already a sovereign country under the name "Republic of China" and is never subordinate to the PRC. The DPP is frequently accused by the PRC government of being a primary force in Taiwan to "prevent
5280-468: The DPP chairmanship election had concluded. The former DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang was appointed to replace Hsieh as premier. Hsieh and his cabinet resigned en masse on 24 January to make way for Su and his new cabinet. President Chen had offered the position of Presidential Office Secretary-General (vacated by Su) to the departing premier, but Hsieh declined and left office criticizing President Chen for his tough line on dealing with China. In 2005, following
5400-482: The DPP the first party to win three consecutive presidential terms since direct elections were introduced in 1996 . The DPP was unable to retain its majority in the Legislative Yuan, losing ten seats. Pan-Green Other Lai Ching-te Lai Ching-te ( Chinese : 賴清德 ; born 6 October 1959), also known as William Lai , is a Taiwanese politician and former physician who is currently serving as
5520-468: The Democratic Progressive Party presidential primary, saying that he could shoulder the responsibility of leading Taiwan in defending itself from being annexed by China. This is the first time in Taiwanese history where a serious primary challenge has been mounted against a sitting president. The results of the DPP's primary poll released on 13 June shown that Tsai defeated Lai by winning 35.67 percent of
5640-465: The Democratic Progressive Party retained its legislative majority, winning 61 seats . The 13 January 2024 presidential election and legislative elections led to the election of Lai Ching-te who won with 40.1% of the votes, while his opponents, Hou Yu-ih of the KMT had 33.5% of the votes, and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party with 26.5% of the vote. In addition, this election made
5760-500: The Duty of Civil Disobedience which was later influential on human rights and civil rights thinkers. United States Supreme Court Justice David Davis , in his 1867 opinion for Ex Parte Milligan , wrote "By the protection of the law, human rights are secured; withdraw that protection and they are at the mercy of wicked rulers or the clamor of an excited people." Many groups and movements have managed to achieve profound social changes over
5880-538: The Formosa Faction would dominate high-level positions within the party. The party did not at the outset give explicit support to an independent Taiwanese national identity , partially because moderates such as Hsu Hsin-liang were concerned that such a move that could have invited a violent crackdown by the Kuomintang and alienate voters, but also because some members such as Lin Cheng-chieh supported unification. Partially due to their waning influence within
6000-627: The Formosa faction, founded by those arrested during the Formosa Incident after their release from prison. In the early days of the party, the Formosa faction focused on winning elections by wielding the star power of its leaders, while New Tide would focus on ideological mobilization and developing grassroots support for social movements. As a result, the Formosa faction would become more moderate, often bending to public opinion, while New Tide would become more ideologically cohesive. By 1988
6120-630: The General Assembly Resolution 48/134 of 1993. The Paris Principles list a number of responsibilities for national institutions. The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of fifty-five African states. Established in 2001, the AU's purpose is to help secure Africa's democracy, human rights, and a sustainable economy, especially by bringing an end to intra-African conflict and creating an effective common market. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)
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#17327651745576240-525: The Legislative Yuan four consecutive times, Lai ran for Mayor of Tainan in 2010 . Lai won and served as mayor for seven years, winning reelection in 2014 . In September 2017, President Tsai Ing-wen announced Lai would replace outgoing premier Lin Chuan . On 24 November 2018, Lai announced his intention to resign from the premiership after the Democratic Progressive Party suffered a major defeat in local elections , and left office on 14 January 2019 after
6360-543: The Legislative Yuan on 26 September, where he stated "I am a political worker who advocates Taiwan independence" but that "We are already an independent sovereign nation called the Republic of China. We don't need a separate declaration of independence". Lai has appeared to have moderated his position on Taiwanese independence particularly when he proposed the idea of "being close to China while loving Taiwan" in June 2017. He also expressed no desire to run against Tsai Ing-wen in
6480-520: The President of the Legislative Yuan, but lost by one vote. The vote that was missing was legislator Chang Chin-cheng 's failure to vote for Shih. As a result, Chang was expelled from the DPP. Post-democratization, the DPP shifted their focus to anti-corruption issues, in particular regarding KMT connections to organized crime as well as "party assets" illegally acquired from the government during martial law. Meanwhile, factions continued to form within
6600-602: The Republic of China ." Lai advocates strengthening Taiwan's relations with the United States and other liberal democracies . Lai considers both titles of "Taiwan" or "Republic of China" that can be used equitably and interchangeably in respect of the country name. Lai married Wu Mei-ju in 1986. Wu worked for Taipower , and was based in Tainan until Lai was elected mayor of the city, and she transferred to Kaohsiung. The couple raised two sons. Lai′s first grandson
6720-409: The School of Salamanca, defined law as a moral power over one's own.50 Although they maintained at the same time, the idea of law as an objective order, they stated that there are certain natural rights, mentioning both rights related to the body (right to life, to property) and to the spirit (right to freedom of thought, dignity). The jurist Vázquez de Menchaca, starting from an individualist philosophy,
6840-403: The UDHR and accompanying treaties, but the UDHR quickly became the priority. Canadian law professor John Humprey and French lawyer René Cassin were responsible for much of the cross-national research and the structure of the document respectively, where the articles of the declaration were interpretative of the general principle of the preamble. The document was structured by Cassin to include
6960-452: The UDHR binding on all states. They came into force only in 1976, when they were ratified by a sufficient number of countries (despite achieving the ICCPR, a covenant including no economic or social rights, the US only ratified the ICCPR in 1992). The ICESCR commits 155 state parties to work toward the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to individuals. Numerous other treaties ( pieces of legislation ) have been offered at
7080-429: The United Nations Chinese unification Taiwan independence movement Taiwanese nationalism Tangwai movement The Democratic Progressive Party ( DPP ) is a centre to centre-left Taiwanese nationalist political party in Taiwan , officially the Republic of China (ROC). It is currently the major ruling party in Taiwan, controlling both the presidency and the central government , while also being
7200-528: The United Nations are enforceable in law. In practice, many rights are very difficult to legally enforce due to the absence of consensus on the application of certain rights, the lack of relevant national legislation or of bodies empowered to take legal action to enforce them. There exist a number of internationally recognized organisations with worldwide mandate or jurisdiction over certain aspects of human rights: The ICC and other international courts (see Regional human rights below ) exist to take action where
7320-399: The ability to open discuss events from the past such as the February 28 Incident and its long aftermath of martial law , and space for a greater variety of political views and advocacy. Once the DPP had representation in the Legislative Yuan , the party used the legislature as a forum to challenge the ruling KMT. In 1996, DPP Chairman Shih Ming-teh united with the New Party to run for
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#17327651745577440-431: The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Ancient peoples did not have the same modern-day conception of universal human rights. However, the concept has in some sense existed for centuries, although not in the same way as today. The true forerunner of human rights discourse was the concept of natural rights , which first appeared as part of
7560-426: The assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe , he made a private trip to Tokyo to pay his respects and became Taiwan's most senior official to visit Japan in five decades. In November 2022, Lai led representatives of Taiwan's travel agencies and industry associations to Palau to foster collaborations between the two countries. In November 2022, president Tsai Ing-wen resigned as leader of DPP after
7680-491: The basic principles of dignity, liberty, equality and brotherhood in the first two articles, followed successively by rights pertaining to individuals; rights of individuals in relation to each other and to groups; spiritual, public and political rights; and economic, social and cultural rights . The final three articles place, according to Cassin, rights in the context of limits, duties and the social and political order in which they are to be realized. Humphrey and Cassin intended
7800-452: The chamber. President Chen's moves sparked a debate within the party between fundamentalists and moderates who were concerned that voters would abandon their party. The fundamentalists won out, and as a result the DPP would largely follow Chen's lead. The DPP suffered a significant election defeat in nationwide local and county elections in December 2005 , while the pan-blue coalition captured 16 of 23 county and city government offices under
7920-450: The concept of human rights has been argued as a strategy to prevent human rights abuses. Many examples of legal instruments at the international, regional and national level described below are designed to enforce laws securing human rights. The United Nations (UN) is the only multilateral governmental agency with universally accepted international jurisdiction for universal human rights legislation. All UN organs have advisory roles to
8040-421: The core international human rights treaties. They are supported by and are created by the treaty that they monitor, With the exception of the CESCR, which was established under a resolution of the Economic and Social Council to carry out the monitoring functions originally assigned to that body under the Covenant, they are technically autonomous bodies, established by the treaties that they monitor and accountable to
8160-536: The council to investigate alleged human rights abuses and to report to the council. The Human Rights Council may request that the Security Council refer cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC) even if the issue being referred is outside the normal jurisdiction of the ICC. In addition to the political bodies whose mandate flows from the UN charter, the UN has set up a number of treaty-based bodies, comprising committees of independent experts who monitor compliance with human rights standards and norms flowing from
8280-494: The country's name without calling for abandonment of the name Republic of China. In the national elections held in early months of 2008, the DPP won less than 25% of the seats (38.2% vote share) in the new Legislative Yuan while its presidential candidate, former Kaohsiung mayor Frank Hsieh , lost to KMT candidate Ma Ying-jeou by a wide margin (41.55% vs. 58.45%). In May, the DPP elected moderate Tsai Ing-wen as their new leader over fundamentalist Koo Kwang-ming . Tsai became
8400-437: The course of the 20th century in the name of human rights. In Western Europe and North America, labour unions brought about laws granting workers the right to strike, establishing minimum work conditions and forbidding or regulating child labour . The women's rights movement succeeded in gaining for many women the right to vote . National liberation movements in many countries succeeded in driving out colonial powers. One of
8520-412: The dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition , one of the two main political groups in Taiwan. Founded in 1986 by Hsu Hsin-liang , Hsieh Tsung-min and Lin Shui-chuan, a year prior to the end of martial law , the DPP is one of two major parties in Taiwan, the other being the Kuomintang (KMT), a Chinese nationalist party previously ruling the country as a one-party state , and its smaller allies in
8640-454: The drafting of a new constitution as well as declaration of a new Republic of Taiwan via referendum (which resulted in many pro-unification members leaving the party). However, the party would quickly begin to walk back on this language, and eventually in 1999 the party congress passed a resolution that Taiwan was already an independent country, under the official name "Republic of China", and that any constitutional changes should be approved by
8760-464: The end of its first year in office. The DPP marked the anniversary with massive rallies in Taipei and Kaohsiung. Tsai's address to the crowd in Taipei on 17 May proclaimed a "citizens' movement to protect Republic of China" seeking to "protect our democracy and protect Republic of China." On 16 January 2016, Taiwan held a general election for its presidency and for the Legislative Yuan . The DPP gained
8880-437: The events of World War II . The UDHR urges member states to promote a number of human, civil, economic and social rights, asserting these rights are part of the "foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world". The declaration was the first international legal effort to limit the behavior of states and make sure they did their duties to their citizens following the model of the rights-duty duality . ... recognition of
9000-1009: The experience of sexual initiation rites with men and passing sex training tests on girls are designed to make them more appealing as marriage prospects. Measures to help the economic status of vulnerable groups in order to reduce human rights violations include girls' education and guaranteed minimum incomes and conditional cash transfers , such as Bolsa familia which subsidize parents who keep children in school rather than contributing to family income, has successfully reduced child labor . Human rights abuses are monitored by United Nations committees, national institutions and governments and by many independent non-governmental organizations , such as Amnesty International , Human Rights Watch , World Organisation Against Torture , Freedom House , International Freedom of Expression Exchange and Anti-Slavery International . These organisations collect evidence and documentation of human rights abuses and apply pressure to promote human rights. Educating people on
9120-496: The first female leader of the DPP and the first female leader to lead a major party in Taiwan. The first months since backed to the opposition were dominated by press coverage of the travails of Chen Shui-bian and his wife Wu Shu-jen . On 15 August 2008, Chen resigned from the DPP and apologized: "Today I have to say sorry to all of the DPP members and supporters. I let everyone down, caused you humiliation and failed to meet your expectations. My acts have caused irreparable damage to
9240-445: The first party other than the KMT to reach a plurality in the Legislative Yuan following the 2001 legislative election . However, a majority coalition between the KMT, People First Party , and New Party prevented it from taking control of the chamber. This coalition was at odds with the presidency from the beginning, and led to President Chen's abandonment of the centrist positions that he ran his campaign on. In 2003, Chen announced
9360-548: The form of military intimidation and an international blockade. In November 2018, Lai tendered his resignation to the president, after the ruling DPP was trounced in local elections. Lai agreed to remain in office to help stabilize the government until the general budget was cleared by the Legislative Yuan in January 2019. Lai's cabinet resigned on 11 January 2019 and Su Tseng-chang was appointed as new premier. On 18 March 2019, Lai Ching-te registered to run in
9480-478: The hemisphere. Its human rights duties stem from three documents: The Inter-American Court of Human Rights was established in 1979 with the purpose of enforcing and interpreting the provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights. Its two main functions are thus adjudicatory and advisory. Under the former, it hears and rules on the specific cases of human rights violations referred to it. Under
9600-400: The inclusion of all rights in a Unity Resolution, the rights enshrined in the UDHR were split into two separate covenants, allowing states to adopt some rights and derogate others. Although this allowed the covenants to be created, it denied the proposed principle that all rights are linked, which was central to some interpretations of the UDHR. Although the UDHR is a non-binding resolution, it
9720-548: The increase in financially vulnerable populations. Girls from poor families in non-industrialized economies are often viewed as a financial burden on the family and marriage of young girls is often driven in the hope that daughters will be fed and protected by wealthier families. Female genital mutilation and force-feeding of daughters is argued to be similarly driven in large part to increase their marriage prospects and thus their financial security by achieving certain idealized standards of beauty. In certain areas, girls requiring
9840-628: The inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world The UDHR was framed by members of the Human Rights Commission, with Eleanor Roosevelt as chair, who began to discuss an International Bill of Rights in 1947. The members of the Commission did not immediately agree on the form of such a bill of rights, and whether, or how, it should be enforced. The Commission proceeded to frame
9960-600: The international level. They are generally known as human rights instruments . Some of the most significant are: In 2021 the United Nations Human Rights Council officially recognized "having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment" as a human right. In April 2024, the European Court of Human Rights ruled, for the first time in history, that the Swiss government had violated human rights by not acting strongly enough to stop climate change. Charles Beitz proposes
10080-530: The issue of Taiwanese independence. However, on 20 October, in response to General Secretary Xi Jinping 's comments on the one China policy and the 1992 consensus at the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party , Lai said that the Taiwanese government, following the directives of Tsai Ing-wen, would fulfill its promise of not changing the status quo between the two neighbors and not ceding before pressure from Beijing, which comes in
10200-531: The issue of the term universal , the declarations did not apply to domestic discrimination or racism. Henry J. Richardson III argued: The onset of the Cold War soon after the UDHR was conceived brought to the fore divisions over the inclusion of both economic and social rights and civil and political rights in the declaration. Capitalist states tended to place strong emphasis on civil and political rights (such as freedom of association and expression), and were reluctant to include economic and social rights (such as
10320-483: The late Taiwanese painter Tan Ting-pho and met politicians of the Chinese Communist Party . Lai stood for reelection on 29 November 2014 against Huang Hsiu-shuang of the Kuomintang. His opponent was considered to have such an uphill task in the DPP stronghold that she rode a black horse through the streets of Tainan as an election stunt; a hopeful allusion to her status as a "dark horse". Lai, on
10440-534: The latter, it issues opinions on matters of legal interpretation brought to its attention by other OAS bodies or member states. There are no Asia-wide organisations or conventions to promote or protect human rights. Countries vary widely in their approach to human rights and their record of human rights protection. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a geo-political and economic organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia, which
10560-458: The leadership of popular Taipei mayor and KMT Party Chairman Ma Ying-jeou . Moderates within the party would blame this loss on the party's fundamentalist turn. The results led to a shake up of the party leadership. Su Tseng-chang resigned as DPP chairman soon after election results were announced. Su had pledged to step down if the DPP lost either Taipei County or failed to win 10 of the 23 mayor/magistrate positions. Vice President Annette Lu
10680-638: The medieval natural law tradition. It developed in new directions during the European Enlightenment with such philosophers as John Locke , Francis Hutcheson , and Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui , and featured prominently in the political discourse of the American Revolution and the French Revolution . From this foundation, the modern human rights arguments emerged over the latter half of the 20th century, possibly as
10800-595: The most influential was Mahatma Gandhi 's leadership of the Indian independence movement . Movements by long-oppressed racial and religious minorities succeeded in many parts of the world, among them the civil rights movement , and more recent diverse identity politics movements, on behalf of women and minorities in the United States. The foundation of the International Committee of the Red Cross ,
10920-462: The national legal system of a state is unable to try the case itself. If national law is able to safeguard human rights and punish those who breach human rights legislation, it has primary jurisdiction by complementarity. Only when all local remedies have been exhausted does international law take effect. In over 110 countries, national human rights institutions (NHRIs) have been set up to protect, promote or monitor human rights with jurisdiction in
11040-595: The other hand, did not plan many campaign activities, choosing to focus on mayoral duties. He eventually won the election by 45 percentage points, the largest margin of victory in any of the municipal races in the election. Lai stepped down as Mayor in September 2017, after being appointed to the Premiership. He was succeeded in acting capacity by Lee Meng-yen . In September 2017, Premier Lin Chuan tendered his resignation to President Tsai Ing-wen , which
11160-490: The party and partially due to their ideological commitment, between 1988 and 1991 the New Tide Faction would push the independence issue, bolstered by the return of pro-independence activists from overseas who were previously barred from Taiwan. In 1991, in order to head off the New Tide, party chairman Hsu Hsin-liang of the moderate Formosa faction agreed to include language in the party charter which advocated for
11280-530: The party supporting same-sex marriage and other LGBT rights . On foreign policy, the DPP is more willing to increase military expenditures to prevent military intimidation from the People's Republic of China (PRC) owing to the ambiguous political status of Taiwan . It favors closer ties with democratic nations such as Japan and the United States , as well as the nations of ASEAN as part of its New Southbound Policy . In its policy on Cross-strait relations ,
11400-413: The party's anti-corruption committee, we respect his decision and accept it." The DPP vowed to reflect on public misgivings towards the party. Chairperson Tsai insisted on the need for the party to remember its history, defend the Republic of China's sovereignty and national security, and maintain its confidence. The party re-emerged as a voice in Taiwan's political debate when Ma's administration reached
11520-549: The party's heavy losses in local elections . Lai officially registered as a candidate for the DPP chair election in December. Since Lai was the only candidate running, he became the new chairman of the DPP in 2023. In March 2023, Lai registered as the only person to run in the DPP's 2024 presidential primary and was officially nominated by the ruling party in April. On 21 November 2023, Lai formally registered his campaign at
11640-448: The party's stance on independence to appeal to moderate voters, appease the United States, and placate China. He also promised not to change the ROC state symbols or declare formal independence as long as the People's Republic of China did not attack Taiwan. Further, he advocated for economic exchange with China as well as the establishment of transportation links. In 2002, the DPP became
11760-483: The party. I love the DPP deeply and am proud of being a DPP member. To express my deepest regrets to all DPP members and supporters, I announce my withdrawal from the DPP immediately. My wife Wu Shu-jen is also withdrawing from the party." DPP Chairperson followed with a public statement on behalf of the party: "In regard to Chen and his wife's decision to withdraw from the party and his desire to shoulder responsibility for his actions as well as to undergo an investigation by
11880-540: The passage of the Anti-Secession Law , the Chen administration issued a statement asserting the position that Taiwan's future should be decided by the people on Taiwan only. On 30 September 2007, the DPP approved a resolution asserting a separate identity from China and called for the enactment of a new constitution for a "normal nation". It struck an accommodating tone by advocating general use of " Taiwan " as
12000-496: The people via referendum, while emphasizing the use of the name "Taiwan" in international settings. Despite its lack of electoral success, the pressure that the DPP created on the ruling KMT via its demands are widely credited in the political reforms of the 1990s, most notably the direct popular election of Republic of China's president and all representatives in the National Assembly and Legislative Yuan , as well
12120-591: The presidency; he succeeded fellow DPP member Tsai Ing-wen in May 2024. The DPP is a longtime member of Liberal International and a founding member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats . It represented Taiwan in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). The DPP is widely classified as socially liberal having been founded as a party for human rights, including factions within
12240-441: The presidential seat, with the election of Tsai Ing-wen, who received 56.12% of the votes, while her opponent Eric Chu gained 31.2%. In addition, the DPP gained a majority of the Legislative Yuan, winning 68 seats in the 113-seat legislature, up from 40 in 2012 election, thus giving them the majority for the first time in its history. President Tsai won reelection in the 2020 Taiwanese presidential election on 11 January 2020, and
12360-504: The previous administration's New Southbound Policy , signing an investment pact with Thailand in June 2024. Thailand became the fifth trading partner to sign an investment agreement with Taiwan since the announcement of the policy in 2016. Ching-te reaffirmed the island's commitment to resisting Chinese annexation, emphasizing its sovereignty during National Day celebrations. He also expressed hopes for dialogue with Beijing, despite ongoing military pressure and tensions. Previously, Lai
12480-478: The right to work and the right to join a union). Socialist states placed much greater importance on economic and social rights and argued strongly for their inclusion. Because of the divisions over which rights to include and because some states declined to ratify any treaties including certain specific interpretations of human rights, and despite the Soviet bloc and a number of developing countries arguing strongly for
12600-652: The rights in the UDHR to be legally enforceable through some means, as is reflected in the third clause of the preamble: Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law. Some of the UDHR was researched and written by a committee of international experts on human rights, including representatives from all continents and all major religions, and drawing on consultation with leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi . The inclusion of both civil and political rights and economic, social, and cultural rights
12720-662: The state parties of those treaties – rather than subsidiary to the United Nations, though in practice they are closely intertwined with the United Nations system and are supported by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) and the UN Centre for Human Rights. Each treaty body receives secretariat support from the Human Rights Council and Treaties Division of Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva except CEDAW, which
12840-446: The swearing-in of his successor Su Tseng-chang . Lai mounted an unsuccessful challenge against Tsai in the 2019 Democratic Progressive Party presidential primary , then served as Tsai's running mate in the 2020 Taiwan presidential election . In April 2023, Lai was nominated by the DPP as their presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election and was elected with 40.05% of votes. He took office as President on 20 May 2024. Lai
12960-439: The theme of universality during the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1831, William Lloyd Garrison wrote in a newspaper called The Liberator that he was trying to enlist his readers in "the great cause of human rights", so the term human rights probably came into use sometime between Paine's The Rights of Man and Garrison's publication. In 1849 a contemporary, Henry David Thoreau , wrote about human rights in his treatise On
13080-582: The use of recent military interventions. An example of an intervention that is often criticized is the 2011 military intervention in the First Libyan Civil War by NATO and Qatar where the goal of preventing atrocities is alleged to have taken upon itself the broader mandate of removing the target government. Economic sanctions are often levied upon individuals or states who commit human rights violations. Sanctions are often criticized for its feature of collective punishment in hurting
13200-534: The vote over Lai's 27.48 percent, officially becoming the DPP's presidential candidate for the 2020 election. In November 2019, Lai accepted president Tsai Ing-wen's offer to become her running mate for the 2020 presidential election . Tsai secured over 57% of the ballot, winning a record 8.17 million votes in the election and began her second term in 2020. During his vice presidency, Lai served as president Tsai Ing-wen's special envoy to Honduras for president Xiomara Castro 's inauguration in January 2022. After
13320-467: The well-known Valladolid Debate that took place in 1550 and 1551. The thought of the School of Salamanca, especially through Francisco Vitoria, also contributed to the promotion of European natural law. From this foundation, the modern human rights arguments emerged over the latter half of the 20th century. Magna Carta is an English charter originally issued in 1215 which influenced the development of
13440-627: Was a mandate to promote many of the rights which were later included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The League of Nations had mandates to support many of the former colonies of the Western European colonial powers during their transition from colony to independent state. Established as an agency of the League of Nations, and now part of United Nations, the International Labour Organization also had
13560-434: Was appointed acting DPP leader. Presidential Office Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun was elected in a three-way race against legislator Chai Trong-rong and Wong Chin-chu with 54.4% of the vote. Premier Frank Hsieh , DPP election organizer and former mayor of Kaohsiung twice tendered a verbal resignation immediately following the election, but his resignation was not accepted by President Chen until 17 January 2006 after
13680-490: Was born in the United States in 2020. Human rights Human rights are universally recognized moral principles or norms that establish standards of human behavior and are often protected by both national and international laws . These rights are considered inherent and inalienable, meaning they belong to every individual simply by virtue of being human , regardless of characteristics like nationality, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status. They encompass
13800-675: Was born into a working-class coal mining family in Wanli , a rural coastal town in northern Taipei County (now New Taipei City) on 6 October 1959. Lai's father died on 8 January 1960 of carbon monoxide poisoning while laboring in the coal mines of Wanli. His widowed mother raised him and his five siblings as a single parent . Lai underwent schooling in Taipei City and studied at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of National Taiwan University in Taipei, receiving
13920-546: Was decisive in the dissemination of the term iura naturalia . This natural law thinking was supported by contact with American civilizations and the debate that took place in Castile about the just titles of the conquest and, in particular, the nature of the indigenous people. In the Castilian colonization of America, it is often stated, measures were applied in which the germs of the idea of Human Rights are present, debated in
14040-477: Was predicated on the assumption that basic human rights are indivisible and that the different types of rights listed are inextricably linked. Although this principle was not opposed by any member states at the time of adoption (the declaration was adopted unanimously, with the abstention of the Soviet bloc , apartheid South Africa, and Saudi Arabia ), this principle was later subject to significant challenges. On
14160-596: Was reluctantly accepted. A recent poll showed Lin's approval rating to be a mere 28.7%, with 6 in 10 respondents dissatisfied with the performance of his cabinet. On 5 September, President Tsai announced at a press conference that Lai would become the country's next head of the Executive Yuan. Lai took office on 8 September as the 49th Premier of Taiwan. Following Lai's appointment as premier, Tsai's approval ratings reached 46%, rebounding by more than 16 points since August. Lai made his first appearance as premier at
14280-555: Was the constitution of the Mali Empire in West Africa . It was composed in the 13th century, and was one of the very first charters on human rights. It included the "right to life and to the preservation of physical integrity" and significant protections for women. Spanish scholasticism insisted on a subjective vision of law during the 16th and 17th centuries: Luis de Molina, Domingo de Soto and Francisco Vitoria, members of
14400-415: Was viewed as a "deep green" member of the DPP, advocating for Taiwanese independence . As the mayor of Tainan, Lai called himself a "pragmatic worker for Taiwanese independence" and argued it was possible to "love Taiwan while having an affinity to China". He has since moderated his position, saying that there was no need to declare independence as " Taiwan is already a sovereign, independent country called
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