Shining Light into Dark Corners fishermen to sign exploitative contracts. In the “FOC Vessel Management Policy Case,” two FOC vessels, both registered in Vanuatu, Da Wang and Chin Chun No.12, were accused of violations against fishermen, such as physical abuse, long working hours, unlawful deduction of wages, and forced labor. In the “Foreign Fishermen Labor Brokerage Agency Management Policy Case,” there was a Taiwanese agency that took advantage of the fishermen’s inability to understand relevant laws and directed them to the black market for personal profit. As a consequence, that agency The second session "Fishermen‘s Rights─ FOC and Brokerage System" of the forum. From left to right: Chang Chih-sheng, the Director-General of the Fisheries Agency, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan; Moffy Chen, the Ocean Project Lead of Greenpeace; NHRC Commissioner Wang Yu-ling; Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao, NHRC the Consultant of NHRC; Control Yuan Member Wang Mei-yu. was indicted by the Prosecutor’s Office; this shone a light on the government’s inefficient review and management of labor brokerage agencies. Chang Chih-sheng, the Director-General of NHRC commissioners inspected Ankang Reception House (a secret detention facility) on September 21, 2020, accompanied by Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang and Transitional Justice Commission Chairperson Yang Tsui. The facility followed the mountain slope and a corridor linked the interrogation space with the detention space. Restrictions on the movements of political prisoners meant they never saw the building’s exterior. The sensation of walking downhill meant they thought they were held in the “basement.” the Fisheries Agency, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, was invited to attend the forum held by the NHRC on June 23. He presented the Fisheries Agency’s current measures to improve the management of FOC vessels and enhance the labor brokerage management system in great detail. In addition, he repeatedly and profusely thanked the many NGOs for their valuable opinions and suggestions. The Fisheries Agency would continuously and proactively follow their The third session "Fishermen‘s Rights ─ Working Conditions, Health Care and Social Security" of the forum. From left to right: Shih Chen-yang, the Director General of Workforce Development Agency, Ministry of Labor; Shih Yi-hsiang, the Secretary General of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights; NHRC Commissioner Chi Hui-jung; John C.F. Wei, the Consultant of NHRC; Control Yuan Member Tsai Chung-yi. Human Rights Issue action plans, including enhancing their inspection capacity, prohibiting fishermen from getting paid If 2017 was the first year of human rights for via the brokerage agencies, and disclosing the foreign fishermen, the significance and the operating information of fishing vessels. establishment of NHRC is to become the bridge between governmental departments and human 20 2 Visiting Historical Sites where Injustices were Committed Inclusion of Human Rights Education T he NHRC visited a number of historical sites Correctional Prison of the Ministry of Defense, where injustices were committed during 2020. and the former 3rd Occupational Training In addition to the Control Yuan members, the rights organizations to improve human rights, These included the Ankang Reception House Headquarters of Taiwan Garrison Command on competent officials of the Ministry of Labor promote domestic legislation of related conventions of the Investigation Bureau, the former Xindian Liuqiu Island (also known as the 3rd Occupational and the Council of Agriculture; the NHRC on fishermen’s rights, and facilitate the formulation Military Prison, the Liuzhangli Cemeteries (now Training Headquarters on Liuqiu Island). The consultants, Senior Advisor Hsin-Huang Michael of marine policies that are in compliance with the Memorial Park for the Victims of Political NHRC hoped that the educational and historical Hsiao, and Lawyer John C.F. Wei; Moffy Chen, international human rights standards. We hope that Persecution during the Martial Law Period), former value offered by the historical sites where the Ocean Project Lead of Greenpeace; Shih our continuous efforts and reforms will change the Jingmei Detention Center (now the Jing-Mei White injustices were committed will provide a window Yi-hsiang, the Secretary General of the Taiwan erroneous international perception of Taiwan and Terror Memorial Park), former New Life Correction to international human rights conventions and an Association for Human Rights were also invited have Taiwan removed from the blacklist of countries Center and Oasis Villa (now the Green Island understanding of the ideals behind transitional to this forum. that violate the human rights of fishermen. White Terror Memorial Park), former Taiyuan justice and human rights. 21