timelines for their execution. The action plan was closely tied in with the quadrennial National Development Plan, and took an inventory of current human rights issues, identified issues in dire need of addressing, and outlined the direction of the country’s human rights initiatives. The NHRC’s medium-term strategic plan, on the other hand, focuses on the commission’s mandate to select priority issues in the protection and promotion of human rights in the next three to four years based on the Commission’s authority. However, since the NHRC is responsible for the oversight of the National Human Rights Action Plan and all human rightsrelated government policies, the medium-term strategic plan is also informed by the National Human Rights Action Plan to ensure that it is consistent with the direction in which the country is heading in terms of human rights initiatives. 2) Relationship to key human rights covenants In compliance with international human rights conventions, Taiwan adopted the ICCPR and ICESCR (the “Two Covenants”) through national legislation in 2009. The Act to Implement the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights makes the Two Covenants legally binding domestic law in Taiwan. The NHRC prepares regular national reports based on timelines stipulated by treaty bodies. The reports are submitted for self-imposed review, and the competent government agency also invites international human rights 7