The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Taiwan, led by Vice Chairperson Ms. Hui-Jung Chi and Commissioner Dr. Upay Radiw Kanasaw, visited Fiji from November 9 to 16 to attend the 30th APF Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Biennial Conference as an invited observer. During the AGM, the NHRC shared its efforts to protect the rights of pregnant migrant workers in Taiwan with nearly 30 APF member institutions participating in-person and online from across the region.
Vice Chairperson Chi, Executive Secretary Ms. Sophie Tsou, and Ms. Niki Rattle from the Office of the Ombudsman of the Cook Islands (another observer NHRI) were invited to join the APF Women Leaders Discussion, a session focusing on women commissioners and senior executive officers. The NHRC expressed its interest in becoming a member of the Core Working Group for the APF Gender Equality Platform, offering Taiwan’s experiences to contribute to the initiative.
A key theme of the Biennial Conference was Climate Change and Human Rights. In recent years, the NHRC has been studying and raising awareness of environmental rights and promoting public participation in line with its Mid-Term Strategic Plan. To better support disadvantaged groups in Taiwan—especially Indigenous peoples—in addressing the human rights impacts of climate change, the NHRC delegation sought advice during the Q&A session from panelists from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Samoa on how NHRIs can adopt a community-led approach. The discussions underscored the importance of culturally responsive climate actions, building trust, and effectively reaching local communities.
The NHRC delegation also held fruitful discussions outside the formal agenda with representatives from NHRIs in the Philippines, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Fiji, the Cook Islands, and from international organizations including the Pacific Community (SPC). The conversations covered issues such as shrinking civic space for human rights defenders, the impact of AI on human rights, and potential areas for future cooperation.
During a year marked by serious global challenges to democracy and human rights, the NHRC delegation also expressed its gratitude to APF Chairperson Ms. Samar Haj Hassan for the Forum’s earlier statement, which raised concerns about Taiwan NHRC’s Paris Principles compliance following a significant budget cut in 2025. Chairperson Hassan reiterated the APF’s continued attention to the situation and reaffirmed the Forum’s strong support for the independent and effective operation of all NHRIs in accordance with the Paris Principles.
This year also saw a leadership transition within the APF Secretariat. After 30 years of dedicated service, Secretariat Director Mr. Kieren Fitzpatrick left the post. Ms. Thuy Doan-Smith has now assumed the position and will lead the Secretariat in further supporting the APF’s role in the capacity-development and coordination of NHRIs across the region.
After the APF Meeting and Conference concluded, the NHRC delegation visited the main office of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) in Suva. The delegation was deeply inspired by its conversations with FHRADC senior staff, including their long-standing efforts to uphold the Commission’s independent mandate and their practical experience working with communities on human rights education. This was Fiji’s first time hosting the APF meeting in 20 years, following its resignation from APF membership during the political upheavals caused by the 2006 military coup. The event marked a milestone, demonstrating Fiji’s renewed adherence to the Paris Principles and its re-engagement with the global community.
The NHRC delegation, accompanied by Representative Joseph Chow of the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji, also met with the Rainbow Pride Foundation Board Member Christopher Lutukivuya and Acting CEO Asaeli Sinusetaki, and Associate Professor Dr. Shailendra Singh from the Journalism Program at the University of the South Pacific. These meetings provided an opportunity to exchange insights on gender equality and human rights education in Taiwan and Fiji. The delegation was highly impressed by the work of Fiji’s LGBTQI organizations, which deeply grounded their approach in Pacific social and cultural contexts in advancing diversity and inclusion, and by their active engagement in the UN CEDAW Committee’s first regional technical cooperation session.
In addition, the NHRC delegation visited the Centre for Agriculture Technology Transfer (CATT), a partnership between the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) and Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture, to learn about Taiwan’s efforts in promoting sustainable farming and climate-resilient agriculture in Fiji.