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The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Receives the 2020 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy today (Dec. 10) released a series of videos to celebrate the 2020 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award recipient Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF). The TFD was unable to hold an award ceremony due to COVID-19, and the videos included pre-recorded speeches by President Tsai Ing-wen, APF Chairperson Rosalind Croucher, and TFD Chairman You Si-kun. Please see the following links for the videos:

The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions is a unique regional organization the members of which are the national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from across the Asia Pacific region. The APF undertakes important work to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights for the region’s most vulnerable people. Founded in 1996 by the initiative of the NHRIs of Australia, India, Indonesia, and New Zealand, the Forum now has a total of 25 NHRIs as its members (16 official members and 9 associate members). The founding purpose of the APF is to help the existing NHRIs in the region, many of which are under-resourced and lacking the necessary skills to effectively undertake their mandate, improve their effectiveness, and in those countries that do not yet have NHRIs, to encourage and provide assistance to the governments and local civil society to establish NHRIs in accordance with the minimum standards endorsed by the United Nations Principles on the Status of National Human Rights Institutions (the Paris Principles).

The TFD established the annual ADHRA to honor individuals or organizations that have demonstrated long-term commitment and outstanding leadership in advancing democracy or human rights through peaceful means in Asia. The Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award Guidelines were approved by the Board of the TFD and announced in April 2006. The Award consists of a sculpture and a US$100,000 grant to support the ongoing work of the recipient. The TFD also pledges to deepen its relationship with each of the recipients and their partners to sustain and increase the impact of their work.

Announcement of the Recipient of the 2020 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) announced today (11/30) that the 2020 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award will be awarded to the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF). The APF is a unique regional organization the members of which are the national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from across the Asia Pacific region. It undertakes important work to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights for the region’s most vulnerable people. The founding purpose of the APF is to help the existing NHRIs in the region effectively undertake their mandate, improve their effectiveness, and in those countries that do not yet have NHRIs to encourage and provide assistance to the governments and local civil society to establish NHRIs in accordance with the minimum standards endorsed by the United Nations Principles on the Status of National Human Rights Institutions (the Paris Principles).

TFD Chairperson You Si-kun at today’s press conference said granting this year’s award to the APF is a recognition to its contribution to making regional governments understand the significance of human rights implementation, and the APF being this year’s award recipient can also highlight the importance of NHRIs. He also pointed out that Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission has officially begun its operation on Aug. 1, with President Tsai Ing-wen, attending the Commission’s inauguration ceremony on the same day, expressing her expectation that it could become the nation’s conscience. “Although Taiwan has not been able to participate in the UN human rights mechanisms, we have nevertheless been voluntarily conducting periodic reviews evaluating Taiwan’s human rights status against UN human rights covenants or stricter standards. We are expecting that with the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, we will be able to enhance and implement human rights in Taiwan further and to attain the support of the country and the international community,” said Chairperson You.

Due to COVID-19, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy will not be hosting a physical award ceremony this year. Pre-recorded videos instead will be published on the TFD official website and social media platforms on Dec. 10, the International Human Rights Day.

For more details, please see press release (English version)