“Taxpayer’s Human Rights” – A Global Focus
74 Justices from 53 Countries Endorse the Declaration
of Taxpayer’s Human Rights

 

From December 7 through December 10, the 13th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World is held in the City Montessori School, Lucknow, India. Nearly 190 justices from 65 countries attend the conference. The members of Association of World Citizens (AWC), who have been invited to the conference many times before, bring the new subject “taxpayer’s human rights” to the conference to share with the justices and people of the law profession from around the world. They also invite the participants of the conference to endorse the “Declaration of Taxpayer’s Human Rights” jointly declared by the president of AWC, Mr. Rene Wadlow, and Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, honorary vice president and member of consultative board of AWC, and president of the Federation of World Peace and Love.

 

Two days after the opening of the conference, 117 participants from 53 countries have signed the Declaration. The Secretary General of the Court of the Middle America , Mr. Orlando Guerreo Mayorga said: “This declaration is very important. We must let the United Nations know about it so that taxpayer's human rights can be included in international covenants passed by the UN. The whole world needs this Declaration of Taxpayer's Human Rights. We pay taxes to the government in the hope that the tax dollars being put to good use and our fundamental freedom and basic rights protected. As such, our rights as citizens and taxpayers should be protected and the taxation must be ruled by law.” Hon. Barara Anderson of the United State Conference of Justice (The national decision making institute of the US legal system) said: “Taxpayer's human right is an important issue. Taxes are the financial sources of the governments. Taxation is a very important topic in all society. People should be informed clearly of the regulations of tax codes and the power to tax must be exercised very carefully by the government.”

 

The Judge of the Federal Civil Court of Argentina, Lily Rosa Flas said:” I have always been very interested in the topic of human rights. After reading your declaration, I could not agree more. I should bring these back to my country. I think the government must legally collect taxes and use them in lawful ways. We must make good use of the tax dollars in social welfares, peace endeavors, human rights and environmental protection, not for the interests of particular individuals or political parties. So, taxpayer's human rights must be protected and the collection of tax dollars must be well-managed.” The Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of Nepal , Keshav Prasad Mainali endorsed the declaration and said during the interview: “Bringing the subject of taxpayer's human rights to the conference is very much needed now. The subject gives very good reflections and lessons. I am sure it will become better. So, this conference is really very meaningful. You are the crusaders of the protection of taxpayer's rights. I want to thank you for bringing us these good messages. I am impressed. And I will work together with you, and bring back the message to my country, and spread the words.”

 

The debts crises in Europe have resulted in global recession, austerity measures, tax increases, spending cuts and deferred retirement. The youth unemployment is especially dire. As a result, the topic of taxpayer's rights is becoming more and more discussed. In addition to promoting the endorsement of the Declaration of Taxpayer's Human Rights, Dr. Hong delivered a keynote speech, “Taxpayer's Human Rights in the 21 st Century – the Combination of Theories and Practices”. It is hoped that the topic will be attended to by the chief justices of the world and better mechanism of protection for taxpayer's rights will be built.