President Lai Ching-te presented the 20th Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award to the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) Dec. 10 in Taipei City, praising the nonprofit organization for its dedication to promoting international civil rights.
According to the president, Jakarta-based PBHI provides free legal assistance to people whose human rights have been seriously violated, monitors government policies and participates in legislative lobbying to incorporate civil society voices into national policy. The association also records human rights violations and connects with counterparts in Bangladesh, Ukraine and other critical locations to coordinate actions across borders, he said.
Like many Asian countries, Taiwan experienced numerous challenges in its pursuit of democracy, the president said, adding that the country reached a historic milestone in September when the number of days since lifting martial law exceeded the duration of martial law.
Taiwan continues to strengthen human rights domestically, Lai said, citing the drafting of a new version of the National Human Rights Action Plan and the first human rights indicators established this year. He added that the latter drew on U.N. accords such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with the aim of improving the transparency and effectiveness of human rights protections.
The president further noted the opening of the National Archives last month, which marks an important step in advancing transitional justice. He concluded with the hope that people from all regions, countries and political parties can stand together and defend universal values to realize human rights for all and ensure the light of democracy continues to shine throughout the world.
First presented by Taipei-based Taiwan Foundation for Democracy in 2006, the annual award has honored individuals or groups including Bangladeshi nongovernmental organization Odhikar and global press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders.
In related news, the Executive Yuan organized the 2025 Human Rights Day International Conference Dec. 9-10 in Taipei. The event focused on Taiwan’s path to transitional justice and international perspectives on restoring historical truth and related policies, with academics and experts from countries including Czechia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, South Korea and Spain in attendance. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw