EETO Head Lutz Güllner Visits Human Rights Commission to Discuss Deepening Cooperation and Social Dialogue on Abolishing the Death Penalty

According to a press release from the National Human Rights Commission, Lutz Güllner, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO), visited the Commission yesterday. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on enhancing human rights cooperation between Taiwan and the EU, social dialogue on the progressive abolition of the death penalty, and the protection of migrant workers' labor rights.

The Commission stated in a press release that Güllner met with the Commission yesterday afternoon. Vice Chairperson Chi Hui-jung, along with commissioners Wang You-ling, Wang Jung-chang, Wang Li-chen, Tian Chiu-chin, Kao Yung-cheng, Yeh Ta-hua, and Hung I-chang, participated in the exchange.

Chi Hui-jung pointed out that Taiwan recently concluded its fourth periodic review under the International Covenants on Human Rights in May, during which international reviewers explicitly recommended a 'moratorium on executions.' However, abolishing the death penalty remains highly controversial in Taiwanese society and requires extremely careful handling and dialogue. The Commission mentioned that it will send a delegation to attend the '9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty' at the end of June, hoping to deepen exchanges with European partners and learn valuable legal and practical experiences.

Güllner shared that the EU and its member states also underwent extensive social discussions in their past efforts to abolish the death penalty, ultimately eliminating its use under any circumstances following the implementation of the 'European Convention on Human Rights' in 2003. However, continued social dialogue remains necessary, including discussions on supporting victims' families and ensuring citizen protection.

Güllner also invited the Commission to participate in the 'EU-Taiwan Labor Rights Seminar' scheduled for the 30th, aiming to promote bilateral exchanges and sharing across diverse human rights fields. He stated that the EU will continue cooperating with Taiwan and looks forward to working together on advancing human rights issues such as abolishing the death penalty and labor rights.

Chi Hui-jung emphasized that the Commission has long been deeply concerned about migrant workers' labor rights, having conducted multiple special investigations and issued reports in the past. She believes that dialogue between European experiences and Taiwan's current situation will serve as vital nourishment for local human rights practices. She added that human rights realization is a long journey requiring societal consensus, and sincerely hopes that Taiwan and Europe will continue to ally in the human rights field, deepen their partnership, and jointly promote substantial human rights development. (Edited by Lin Hsing-meng)