Promotion for the Establishment of
a National Human Rights Commission

     Since 2000, the Taipei Bar Association has been actively devoted to promotion for establishment of a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in accordance with the “aris Principles”laid down by the United Nations in 1992 and with guidelines provided by Amnesty International. Such a NHRC is designed to be an independent agency of the government, to supervise both the executive and legislative branches and supplement the judicial branch regarding human rights protection. The NHRC will also be expected to coordinate human rights policies, as well as carry out practical functions including issuing annual national human rights reports and updating data on domestic and international human right issues. The organic law for the NHRC has been drafted, and is now being considered in the legislature. The TBA is keeping a close observation of the legislative development.