Baku: Six members of the Judges Association of Republic of China (Taiwan), or JAROC, were blocked from attending the International Association of Judges’ (IAJ) annual conference in Azerbaijan after being denied visas and entry permits, the association announced on Friday. The delegates had been assured by the organizers that they would receive assistance with visa and entry procedures in line with the IAJ’s principles of inclusiveness and equal participation. However, they received neither approval nor any formal explanation from the organizers, JAROC stated.
According to Focus Taiwan, the 67th IAJ General Assembly was held in Baku this year from October 11 to October 17. Due to the visa denial, the group was forced to cancel its trip, which JAROC lamented as a violation of their right to full participation. This incident, they argued, undermines the IAJ’s commitment to judicial independence, equal exchange, and cooperation. Describing the incident as regrettable, JAROC called on the IAJ to establish a clear, fair, and transparent mechanism to prevent similar cases in the future. They urged for timely and open procedures to ensure that all member states can participate in international meetings with dignity and equality.
The incident highlights the barriers Taiwan faces in participating in international events, as many countries adhere to China’s stance of keeping Taipei out of the international spotlight. JAROC did not directly accuse Beijing of interference in this particular event. The IAJ, a professional and non-political international organization of national associations of judges, was founded in Salzburg in 1953 and has its headquarters in Rome. The IAJ annual meeting is hosted in rotation by its member countries, with Taiwan hosting the 65th edition in 2023.
Separately on Friday, the Judicial Yuan expressed its “utmost concern” over Azerbaijan’s refusal to grant visas and entry permits to the JAROC delegation. In a statement, the judicial body affirmed its continued support for civil organizations promoting Taiwan’s free and independent rule of law internationally.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) protested against the Azerbaijani government’s actions, accusing it of using the “one China” principle as a pretext to deny the Taiwanese delegation’s entry. MOFA reiterated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China “are not subordinate to each other,” emphasizing that the Chinese Communist Party has never ruled Taiwan. The ministry stated that attempts to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status cannot alter the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait, adding that exchanges among professional judicial associations are unrelated to political issues. It further condemned Azerbaijan for blocking Taiwan’s participation in the annual event.
