Focus Taiwan
Date: 07/17/2020
By: Tang Pei-chun and Matthew Mazzetta

Brussels, July 17 (CNA) The European Union (EU) reiterated its strong opposition to the death penalty in annual human rights talks with Taiwan on Wednesday, as part of an agenda that also included LGBT issues, migrant workers and the rights of Taiwanese arrested abroad.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the third annual Human Rights Consultations were conducted via video conferencing, in what the two sides described in a joint press release as a "friendly, open and constructive atmosphere."

Aside from providing updates on their respective policies to advance human rights, the two sides also raised areas of ongoing concern with each other.

The EU registered its opposition to an execution carried out by Taiwan on April 1, and "called on Taiwan to reinstate a de facto moratorium and pursue a policy towards the abolition of the death penalty," the statement said.    [FULL  STORY]