Podujatia

Date: 20.11.2024

Presenter: Kristína Kironská

Advocacy Director

Contact: kironskaceias.eu

Affiliation: Central European Institute of Asian Studies, Bratislava

Despite being excluded from the United Nations (UN), Taiwan voluntarily participated in numerous international treaties related to human rights, contributing to its positive reputation in this field. Additionally, Taiwan's non-governmental and human rights sector is very diverse and active. Civil society has played a crucial role in pushing Taiwan to come to terms with its dark past, the White Terror, and to ensure transitional justice and acceptance of international human rights treaties. NGOs enjoy significant support and serve as a source of soft power abroad, ensuring Taiwan's presence in institutions or platforms where its international political status would otherwise not allow it. NGOs are also instrumental in advocating for women's rights and LGBTQI+ rights, contributing to the increased participation of women in politics and the adoption of the same-sex marriage law. Today, Taiwan presents itself as the only culturally Chinese democracy and one of the advanced democracies in Asia, alongside Japan and South Korea. However, despite its progressive tendencies, Taiwan still faces a number of human rights challenges. For example, why does a modern country like Taiwan lack a refugee policy? Why does Taiwan still practice the death penalty? How does Taiwanese society treat migrants from Southeast Asia? In the lecture, the speaker will answer these and other questions to human rights in Taiwan.

Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS)

Bio:
KRISTINA KIRONSKA is a socially engaged interdisciplinary academic with experience in election observation, research, and advocacy. She lived in Taiwan for many years, including a period as a lecturer at the University of Taipei. Currently, she serves as the Advocacy Director at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), where she leads the Human Rights in East Asia (HUREA) project. She is also the founder of CEIAS’s EU-Taiwan Tracker, which monitors interactions between EU member states and Taiwan. Additionally, Kristina lectures at Palacký University Olomouc and is a Board Member of the European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS). Her research focuses on East and Southeast Asia, international relations, and human rights.