The European Union and Taiwan held the seventh Human Rights Consultations on 5 March in Taipei. 

The consultations were conducted in an open and constructive atmosphere. They provided the opportunity to review recent developments and to update on respective policies and priorities for action. The EU and Taiwan reiterated their firm commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The EU informed Taiwan about the extension of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024 until 2027, aligning it with the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2021-2027. Taiwan shared information on recent human rights developments, policy initiatives and national action plans. 

Taiwan provided an update on its response to the Constitutional Court’s ruling (Judgment No. 8 of 2024). The EU reaffirmed its longstanding position on the death penalty, recalled its opposition to the capital punishment in all cases and all circumstances, and urged Taiwan to apply a de facto moratorium, to guarantee legal and procedural safeguards and to pursue a consistent policy towards the full abolition of the death penalty in Taiwan. 

The EU and Taiwan also discussed specific human rights issues, such as the need to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers, especially in the fishing industry, and those of domestic workers. Business and human rights, gender equality and the rights of LGBTI persons, advanced human rights education, and the rights of older persons were also covered during the consultations. 

The consultations confirmed the importance to promote, protect and fulfil universal human rights and to abide by international human rights norms. 

The EU and Taiwan agreed to continue exchanges and cooperation on human rights, in particular on the issues raised during the consultations.

The meeting was co-chaired on the EU side by the Deputy Head of Division for China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Mongolia, Nicoletta Pusterla, and on the Taiwan side by Minister without Portfolio Lin Ming-hsin.

The Human Rights Consultations were followed by an exchange with members of Executive Yuan’s Human Rights Protection and Promotion Task Force.

Ahead of the Human Rights Consultations, on 4 March, the EU held a dedicated meeting with Taiwan civil society organizations on the Human Rights situation in Taiwan.