Taipei City-based Taiwan Foundation for Democracy named Nov. 10 the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), a nongovernmental organization headquartered in Manila, the winner of the 2016 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award.
TFD Chairman Su Jia-chyuan, who is also president of the Legislative Yuan, said at a press conference in Taipei that the NGO is a well-deserved recipient of the prize, one of the most prominent of its kind in Asia.
“The AFAD has a track record of making major contributions to the protection and advancement of human rights in the region,” Su said. “This award honors the federation’s efforts in seeking justice and redress for those who have gone missing and promoting the rights of their relatives.”
Established in 1998 in response to growing concern over enforced disappearances in Asia, the AFAD now comprises 14 member organizations from countries including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea and Thailand.
During the federation’s early years, it maintained close collaboration with the Latin American Federation of Associations for Relatives of Disappeared Detainees. The two successfully lobbied for the adoption of the U.N. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in 2006.
In a statement released Nov. 11, AFAD Secretary-General Mary Aileen D. Bacalso expressed gratitude to the Taiwan foundation, adding the recognition comes at a very sensitive time as AFAD Chairperson Khurram Parvez has been kept in detention in India-administered Kashmir since Sept. 16.
“This important award is further recognition of the efforts faced and of the constant struggle the AFAD’s member organizations engage in every day,” she said.
The NGO was selected through a two-stage review by panels comprising seven judges. It will formally receive the award and a grant of US$100,000 at a ceremony in Taipei set for Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day.
First presented by TFD in 2006, the prize honors individuals or groups that peacefully promote democracy and human rights in Asia. Past recipients include Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission Chairperson Sima Samar, the India-based Rescue Foundation, France-based Reporters Without Borders and U.S.-based Boat People SOS.
TFD was established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 2003 with the aims of promoting democracy and human rights in the international community, deepening connections between local and overseas advocacy groups, and expanding the participation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in related organizations and activities worldwide. (SFC-E)
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