On September 24–25, 2024, the National Human Rights Commission of Taiwan (NHRC) participated in the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), held in Bangkok, Thailand. Attendees included delegates from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), among other prominent human rights organizations.
The NHRC delegation was led by Chairperson Chen Chu and included Vice Chairperson Wang Yu-ling and Commissioners Kao Yung-cheng and Lin Wen-cheng. This marks the NHRC’s second appearance at an APF AGM as an observer, following its first participation in the 28th AGM and Biennial Conference in New Delhi, India, in 2023.
The APF’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan prioritizes three thematic issues: Gender Equality, Environment and Climate Change, and Human Rights Defenders and Civic Space. During the 2024 AGM, the NHRC made its first formal presentation on Taiwan’s strides in human rights, particularly in gender equality.
The presentation featured the NHRC’s recent investigation into a complaint lodged by the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union, addressing discriminatory airline dress codes for female cabin crew. In the presentation, Commissioner Kao highlighted the NHRC’s efforts to rectify gender-based discrimination in the aviation industry, urging the government of Taiwan to improve workplace safety for women and ensure non-discriminatory policies in the sector.
Throughout the two-day AGM, the NHRC delegation engaged actively with representatives from nearly 30 countries, exchanging insights on key human rights concerns. The topics ranged from the rights of foreign fishing workers to the rights of persons with disabilities.
Chairperson Chen congratulated Ms. Samar Khaled al Haj Hassan, Chairperson of the Jordan National Centre for Human Rights, on her election as the new APF Chairperson. She also extended congratulations to Ms. Loukinikini Lewaravu, Director of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, as Fiji was selected to host the APF’s 30th AGM and Biennial Conference in 2025. The NHRC looks forward to future collaboration with both institutions.
Another significant aspect of Taiwan’s participation was the APF’s ongoing work on developing guidelines concerning the role of national human rights institutions in conflict situations. The NHRC expressed a keen interest in contributing draft recommendations to this important working group, receiving positive feedback from fellow delegates of APF members. Taiwan’s continued involvement with the APF reinforces its commitment to advancing human rights in the region and beyond, showcasing its contributions to international human rights networks.
In addition to attending the AGM, the NHRC delegation visited the Bangkok office of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA). There, they met with Executive Director Ms. Mary Aileen D. Bacalso and her team. Discussions centered on Taiwan’s potential role in developing protection mechanisms for human rights defenders in Asia, as well as the NHRC’s interest in training programs focused on environmental issues, climate change, and business and human rights.