President Tsai highlights Taiwan’s legal aid progress

2018/11/05

President Tsai Ing-wen said Nov. 1 that Taiwan’s legal aid system is helping safeguard the people’s fundamental rights of equality and due process while promoting social justice.
 
 Building an effective system accessible to all is a key goal of Taiwan’s democratization, Tsai said. The government’s progress in this regard is illustrated by promulgation of the Legal Aid Act in 2004 and establishment of the Legal Aid Foundation, she added.
 
 Tsai made the remarks at the opening of the International Forum on Legal Aid in Taipei City. Organized by locally based LAF with support from the Judicial Yuan and other government agencies and legal associations, the three-day event involves academics and experts from 17 countries and territories.
 
 According to Tsai, the forum enables participants to share best practices and the latest approaches on policymaking, human rights and social welfare issues. It also underscores the government’s commitment to demonstrating how Taiwan can help the U.N. realize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, she said.
 
 As Taiwan readies for its nine-in-one local elections and 10 referendums later this month, Tsai said forum participants should seize the opportunity to witness firsthand the exercise of civil rights and advancement of freedom and democracy in Taiwan.
 
 Tsai said the government’s annual support for LAF has grown from around NT$300 million (US$9.7 million) in 2004 to nearly NT$1.4 billion in 2017, with the number of people benefiting from its services increasing thirtyfold over the 14 years. The foundation’s contributions are highly appreciated by all segments of society, she said.
 
 Since taking office in May 2016, Tsai said she has prioritized implementation of judicial reform in accordance with the people’s expectations and needs. Concrete progress has been achieved across the board, especially in core areas pertaining to the protection of the rights of the disadvantaged, minors and migrant workers, she added.
 
 Going forward, Tsai said, the government will work even closer with organizations such as LAF in strengthening public welfare and sharing Taiwan’s experiences with like-minded countries throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=144616)