Statement | The Judicial Reform Foundation Officially Withdraws from the GlobalGiving International Crowdfunding Platform

The Judicial Reform Foundation (JRF) has decided to officially withdraw from the GlobalGiving international crowdfunding platform, effective June 1, 2026. In addition to sending a formal letter of strong protest to the organization, we will also be explaining this decision to donors from all sectors who have supported us through the platform.

As a non-governmental organization deeply rooted in Taiwan's judicial reform and human rights advocacy for over thirty years, we cannot accept an international platform downgrading and renaming "Taiwan" under improper external pressure. Although this decision will have a direct impact on our international fundraising and cross-border cooperation, it is a bottom line we must uphold in order to defend the independence, agency, and dignity of Taiwan's civil society.

We hope that all donors and partners who support the JRF will understand this resolution, and we sincerely invite you to continue supporting us through other channels and methods as we jointly safeguard the international space for participation in democratic, rule-of-law, and human rights values.

Support the JRF: Join Us in Promoting a Better Judicial Environment

Although we have lost the channel of the international fundraising platform, we firmly believe that the power to protect Taiwan's rule of law and human rights will not be interrupted as a result. We sincerely invite you to become our backing: Support JRF

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Remarks by JRF Executive Director Lee Ming-ju at the Cross-Group Online Meeting with GlobalGiving on May 12, 2026

Recently, Taiwanese civil society organizations received a notification from the international fundraising platform GlobalGiving stating that the designation of Taiwan on its website will be renamed to "Chinese Taipei." Today, partners from Taiwanese civil society organizations—including the Judicial Reform Foundation, Forward Alliance, The Garden of Hope Foundation, The Reporter, Modern Women's Foundation, One-Forty, Taiwan Gender Equity Education Association, and RE-THINK—formally expressed their opposition to the renaming during the meeting with GlobalGiving. This is not merely a name adjustment; it is an important issue concerning how Taiwanese civil society is recognized internationally and whether it can participate in global public spaces with dignity. As an NGO deeply rooted in Taiwan's judicial reform for thirty years, the JRF will continue to stand with regional human rights partners to defend the international space for participation in democracy, the rule of law, and civil society.

English Statement

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak. I am Ming Ju from Judicial Reform Foundation.

Judicial Reform Foundation is Taiwan's oldest judicial advocacy NGO. For over 30 years, we have worked not only on local judicial reform, but also alongside regional human rights communities defending democracy and the rule of law.

Taiwan's civil society is not isolated. Many organizations here, including ours, have long supported activists, lawyers, and human rights defenders across the region — including partners from Hong Kong and China when they face political pressure or legal persecution.

That is why we are deeply concerned by the decision to relabel Taiwan as "Chinese Taipei."

For many organizations in Taiwan, this is not a neutral technical adjustment. It directly affects how Taiwanese civil society is recognized internationally and whether we can participate with dignity and clarity on global platforms.

GlobalGiving is not merely a fundraising system. It is a platform built on trust, openness, and the belief that grassroots voices matter.

Making identity-related decisions without meaningful consultation risks undermining trust and shrinking international civic space. More critically, it suggests to the donor community that GlobalGiving is willing to alter its foundational goals in response to external, unjust pressure.

*For more information, please refer to The Reporter's special report: RightsCon 2026 Canceled and International Platforms Change Taiwan to Chinese Taipei: When "Taiwan" is Erased: Taiwanese Civil Society Organizations Face the Test of New Geopolitical Realities