The International Association of Judges (IAJ) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding judges participation, after Taiwan’s representatives were excluded from the 67th IAJ Annual Meeting in Azerbaijan. The exclusion highlights challenges in maintaining inclusive international judicial forums.
Six judges from the Judges Association of the Republic of China (JAROC) could not attend the meeting earlier this month. Five judges canceled their trips after failing to receive formal invitation letters or entry permits. High Court judge Lin Yi-lun, who led the delegation, flew to Azerbaijan but was denied entry at the border and returned.
The Azerbaijani government likely refused entry after China pressured it to uphold the “one China” principle, the JAROC explained. The association stressed that this incident undermines international judicial cooperation and inclusiveness.
Previously, the Azerbaijan Union of Judges had assured the IAJ that it would assist members in obtaining visas on arrival. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the assurance, but the government did not fulfill the promise.
The JAROC promptly urged the IAJ to implement a transparent mechanism to prevent similar exclusions in the future. The association also expressed deep concern about the broader implications for Taiwan’s global judicial engagement.
The Judicial Yuan supported JAROC’s stance, emphasizing Taiwan’s commitment to freedom and rule of law. It pledged to continue promoting Taiwan’s active participation in international civil and legal organizations.
In response, the IAJ issued a letter expressing regret over the exclusion. The organization acknowledged that the actions of the Azerbaijani State Migration Service violated its principles of cooperation and inclusivity. The IAJ pledged to uphold the unconditional right of all members to participate in future meetings. Additionally, it committed to carefully selecting meeting locations to avoid political exclusion.
Taiwan’s association thanked the IAJ for its support and reaffirmed its hope that all members can attend future annual meetings without political barriers. The incident underscores the intersection of politics and international judicial participation, and the need for proactive measures to safeguard inclusivity.
The focus on judges participation is now expected to guide the IAJ’s future policies, ensuring that every member enjoys equal access to forums for global judicial dialogue.
