National Human Rights Commission 2023-2026 Medium-Term Strategic Plan I. Preface 1. Background In 1993, the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (commonly known as “the Paris Principles”) were passed by the United Nations (UN) and quickly gained widespread support in the UN human rights system, spurring member states to establish national human rights institutions. In Taiwan, civic organizations have been advocating the establishment of a dedicated, independent national human rights institution under the Paris Principles since 1999. Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, the Organic Act of the Control Yuan National Human Rights Commission (the “Organic Act”) was finally passed by the Legislative Yuan on December 10 (National Human Rights Day), 2019, promulgated on January 8, 2020, and implemented on May 1 of the same year. Later that year, on August 1, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was inaugurated. As Taiwan’s national human rights institution, the NHRC’s mission is to promote human rights, support the disadvantaged, and become the conscience of Taiwan, in accordance with the fundamental principle of being an independent, dedicated, and diverse agency. 1