Welcoming its passage, Vice Premier Tsai Ing-wen said the draft bill — authored by the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mainland Affairs Council — if enacted into law, will apply to persecuted people all over the world.

Noting that the refugee issue is a tragedy and that no countries in the world can pretend that the issue is non-existent, Tsai said that although Taiwan is not a party to the U.N.-sponsored Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees adopted in 1951, Taiwan is determined, as a member of the “global village, “ to enact a refugee law to deliver on its promise of promoting a rights-based national development approach and making human rights protection its core value and top guiding principle.

Once the bill is formally enacted with the Legislative Yuan’s approval, Tsai said, those who are persecuted in their homeland or who have a well-founded fear of persecution there for political, religious or ethnic reasons can apply to the Taiwan authorities for refugee status and asylum.

After the bill takes effect, Tsai said, anyone who falls victim to persecution on account of race, religion or political opinion can file applications with the Ministry of the Interior for refugee status.

If the applicants are certified as refugees through due process set forth in the law, they can then apply for asylum or settlement.

During that period, Tsai added, the government will render help and support for the applicants in their legal, medical and accommodation needs.

Tsai asked relevant Cabinet agencies to inform the lawmakers quickly about the content and spirit of the draft bill so as to facilitate its enactment at an early date.

Tsai also asked the Foreign Ministry to direct its subordinate units overseas to notify the governments of their resident countries about Taiwan’s refugee law enactment efforts and to make known Taiwan’s determination to safeguard human dignity and promote humanitarianism.

Subscribe to The China Post and save.  Click hereSharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 800 characters max

Receive China Post promos

Respond to this email