Taking Efforts to Implement the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- Date：
- Source：Immigration Planning Section
- Hit：2253
- Updated date：2025-06-06
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (hereinafter referred to as ICERD) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 21, 1965, and entered into force on January 4, 1969. The ICERD was signed by the Republic of China (Taiwan) on March 31, 1966, ratified on November 14, 1970, and deposited on December 10, 1970. It entered into force in Taiwan on January 9, 1971. Based on the decision made by the 33rd meeting of The Human Rights Advisory Committee under the Presidential Office on September 21, 2018, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) has been tasked with implementing the ICERD, including the preparation of the initial National Report and coordination of the international review process.
Progress
1. Formulating the ICERD Action Plan
The ICERD Action Plan was approved by the Executive Yuan on May 8, 2020 and became the foundation for planning and implementing relevant ICERD measures. According to the ICERD Action Plan, the Initial National Report is planned to be submitted within 3 years from the date of implementation. Subsequent National Reports will be submitted every 4 years, each accompanied by an international reviewing meeting.
2. Establishing the ICERD Task Force
a. The Executive Yuan also approved the revised Guidelines for Establishing the Coordination Committee on Prevention of Human Trafficking and Elimination of Racial Discrimination (hereinafter referred to as “the Coordination Committee”) on May 8, 2020. The Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan concurrently serves as the Convener. The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Interior concurrently serves as the Deputy Convener. Representatives from the Judicial Yuan, deputy heads of relevant ministries, and appointed scholars and experts serve as members of the Coordination Committee.
b. The ICERD Task Force, under the Coordination Committee, is responsible for supervising the implementation of ICERD measures and providing related research, deliberation, and consultation.
Current progress
1. Regulatory Review
Established in 2020, the ICERD Regulatory Review Working Group has convened ten sessions to date, focusing on reviewing and compiling national laws potentially inconsistent with the ICERD. The findings were submitted to the Coordination Committee and are undergoing ongoing review as per its resolutions.
2. Education, Training, and Promotion:
In 2021, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) conducted Training of Trainers programs, which were developed into digital materials available on the Public Service e-Learning+ Platform and the ICERD section of the NIA’s official website. In 2022, to understand public perceptions on racial issues, a street interview video about ICERD was produced. In 2023, bilingual (Chinese and English) animated videos were created to explain ICERD articles through case-based scenarios. These were published on YouTube and other social media platforms to raise public awareness.
3. National Report
Taiwan began drafting its Initial National Report in 2022. From August to September of the same year, four consultation meetings with civil society organizations were held. The finalized report was released at a press conference on December 14, 2022.
4. International Review and Follow-Up Mechanism
In June 2023, four international experts (from Austria, New Zealand, Japan, and Canada) were invited to form the International Review Committee (IRC). From August to November 2023, the IRC conducted a written review of both the government’s Initial National Report and the parallel reports submitted by civil society organizations. The formal international review session was held on April 22–23, 2024, followed by a press conference on April 26 to release the Committee’s Concluding Observations and Recommendations. A total of 89 recommendations were issued. Follow-up and implementation will proceed under the oversight mechanism approved by the Coordination Committee on August 2, 2024.
Conclusion
The NIA, under the supervision and assistance of the ICERD Task Force of the Executive Yuan, will continue implementing ICERD, progressively fulfilling its obligations in accordance with the guidelines and the established timeline of the ICERD Action Plan.