IAJ expresses regret over Azerbaijan's visa denial to Taiwan judges

Taipei, Oct. 27 (CNA) The International Association of Judges (IAJ) has expressed regret and support for Taiwan after six of its representatives were unable to attend the group's annual meeting in Azerbaijan earlier this month because their visas were denied, the Judges Association of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (JAROC) said Monday.

The Taiwanese association had planned to send six delegates to the IAJ's 67th annual meeting in Baku from Oct. 12-16. Despite assurances from the host organization that visa-on-arrival arrangements would be made, none of the Taiwanese representatives received entry permits or formal rejection notices.

● Taiwan delegates blocked from attending judges' conference in Azerbaijan

Five members canceled their trip after failing to obtain documentation, while delegation head High Court Judge Lin Yi-lun (林伊倫) traveled to Azerbaijan on Oct. 11 but was denied entry at the border, the JAROC said in a statement.

It described the incident as being a violation of members' rights to full participation and inconsistent with the IAJ's principles of judicial independence, equality and cooperation.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Azerbaijan's actions on Oct. 17, saying the government had cited the "one China principle" as a pretext to deny entry, and lodged a strong protest over the decision.

Following the incident, the IAJ Presidency Committee wrote to the Taiwanese association expressing deep regret and sincere support, calling the exclusion of Taiwan's judges a loss for all members, according to the JAROC statement.

The IAJ said the Azerbaijani authorities' actions ran counter to its commitment to international cooperation and inclusiveness. The IAJ leadership pledged to prioritize the unconditional participation right of all members when selecting future meeting venues to ensure no judge is excluded because of government policy, the JAROC statement said.

The Taiwanese association thanked the IAJ Presidency Committee for its backing and reiterated its commitment to promoting international judicial exchange and defending the core values of judicial independence and human rights.