The human rights environment for females - be they workers, mothers, wives or students - has been vastly improved, due in part to the efforts of feminist pioneers such as Vice President Annette Lu. Women now figure prominently in politics, business, and the professions.

Ethnic minorities have been accorded comprehensive rights to practice their customs and have their languages taught in ROC schools.

Harsh laws dating from the Emergency Decree era have been replaced with statutes guaranteeing rights and freedoms. These have paved the way for a proliferation of charities, advocacy groups and other NGOs.

Greater transparency in the judicial process has led to the reopening of some cases, most notably that of the Hsichih Trio.

An even clearer indication of Taiwan's human rights progress is the fact that peaceful protests and demonstrations are now an everyday feature of the island's society.