The Taiwan Association for Human Rights (TAHR), Amnesty International Taiwan, along with several other human rights organizations held a press conference in light of World Refugee Day on Thursday. They urge the Taiwanese government to establish an asylum system and asylum law protecting refugees and asylum seekers. 

TAHR points out that the current process of obtaining a provisional alien registration certificate via Taiwan’s Immigration Agency does not sufficiently protect applicants’ rights. TAHR immigration and asylum policy researcher Liao Xin-yi (廖欣宜) says Taiwan’s Immigration Agency cannot approve asylum seekers' applications without consulting other governmental agencies. Yet, without an asylum system, it is unclear which agencies should be in charge. Liao says due to this, no one has been approved for a provisional alien registration certificate so far.  

Amnesty International Taiwan Executive Director Eeling Chiu (邱伊翎) says since the Cabinet listed establishing asylum law by 2024 in its National Human Rights Action Plan in 2022, the Legislature and Cabinet should follow up with concrete actions. 

Several legislators support establishing an asylum law. DPP legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) says the DPP Caucus will consult civil society groups and propose a draft for asylum law in the next legislative session. TPP legislator Mai Yu-chen (麥玉珍) also supports establishing the law, urging the government to protect stateless refugees.