NGOs and Officials Call for Dedicated Law on World Refugee Day

TaiwanPlus News

On World Refugee Day, NGOs and some officials say the time is long overdue for Taiwan to pass a law on refugees so that the country can truly live up to its reputation with regard to human rights.

Transcript

00:00Don't be in charge.

00:02The victims must be safe.

00:05Though Taiwan may not make headlines when it comes to refugee issues,

00:08there are a few dozen people who fled here for safety.

00:11But activists say what they often find

00:13is a far cry from the land of human rights and dignity they were expecting.

00:17On World Refugee Day, they've gathered with officials,

00:20like this member of the Government Ethics Watchdog,

00:22who say this can't go on.

00:24A man who doesn't have a disability, doesn't have a disability,

00:28can he work?

00:29No.

00:30So he's very sad.

00:32Finally, he also has the AI and the Relicative Society in helping us.

00:37The result of the help is that he has no insurance card.

00:43Despite years of debate,

00:45Taiwan doesn't have a law on refugees

00:47to say who counts as one and what their rights are.

00:50In 2023,

00:51the government announced special year-long residence permits

00:54allowing work, study, and access to health care.

00:57It says no one applied.

00:59But those gathered here say at least 20 did.

01:01People from places like Myanmar and Southeast Asia,

01:04torn by years of civil war.

01:06I know a lot of legislators

01:08have said that they've been waiting for over two years.

01:12They haven't received any advice.

01:14And they say some have endured harsh treatment

01:16for trying to make ends meet while waiting in limbo.

01:19One refugee from Myanmar among them.

01:21One refugee from Myanmar among them.

01:22One refugee from Myanmar among them.

01:26Amnesty International says polls on attitudes towards refugees

01:31show widespread support for legal status and protections.

01:33In 2022,

01:34there were over半数 of Taiwanese people

01:36who supported them.

01:37Even if they were in the country.

01:38Even if they were in the country.

01:39Even if they were in the country.

01:40Even if they were in the country.

01:41Even if they were in the country.

01:42Even if they were in the country.

01:43Amnesty International says polls on attitudes towards refugees

01:46show widespread support for legal status and protections.

01:49In all, 15 NGOs are pushing to get the government to pass a law

01:51on the rights of refugees.

01:53In the interim, they also want a review of the temporary residency program and existing laws,

02:08and assurances that anti-discrimination laws and protections for children also apply to refugees.

02:25They have moral support from refugee hotspots who believe Taiwan can do better.

02:30We urgently need the Taiwanese government to pass a comprehensive refugee act,

02:37one that guarantees the right to seek asylum, provides a fair and transparent process,

02:46and to protect the basic right of those who come here seeking refuge.

02:51I speak today not only as a Palestinian but as a friend who wants to see Taiwan grow up

02:57as a place of compassion, justice, and leadership in human rights.

03:02These NGOs hope their pressure will help make a difference

03:05and carve out a space in the political discourse for an issue they say can't wait any longer.

03:10Ryan Wu and John Van Trieste for Taiwan Plus.

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