On July 16th, 2024, Senator Brian Francis, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, led a delegation of eight indigenous representatives from both the Senate and House of Commons to visit Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The Canadian parliamentary delegation met with NHRC Commissioners for a meaningful exchange on indigenous human rights issues, addressing the shared histories of state violence against indigenous peoples in Taiwan and Canada, as well as their ongoing struggles to restore their rights.
In her remarks, NHRC Chairperson Chen Chu reflected on her visit to Canada in October 2023, where she led the Commission’s delegation to engage with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT), the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Parliament of Canada. During the trip, she learned about Canada’s efforts to promote indigenous rights and uncover the historical truths behind major human rights violations. Chairperson Chen was particularly impressed and moved by Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, during which people wear orange shirts to recognize the country’s assimilation atrocities against its indigenous populations.
Chairperson Chen also shared her own experiences advocating for indigenous rights in Taiwan. During her tenure as Mayor of Kaohsiung, she secured the return of around 100 hectares of land which the government had wrongfully seized from indigenous communities, providing land recovery certificates to those impacted.
NHRC Commissioner pasuya poiconx, representing the Tsou people, highlighted the global influences shaping Taiwan’s indigenous rights movement. While significant legal advancements have been made, such as the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law and the Indigenous Languages Development Act, challenges remain—especially concerning the recognition of the Pingpu, aka Plains Indigenous Peoples, identity and the protection of traditional land and marine territories.
NHRC Commissioners Chi Hui-jung and Yeh Ta-hua also addressed efforts to support indigenous women and children, focusing on the intersectional challenges they face in healthcare, domestic violence, and legal protections.
The Canadian delegation underscored the shared struggles of indigenous communities in both countries, which continue to face the legacies of colonization, genocide, and systemic violence. They emphasized the ongoing fight for socio-political empowerment, self-governance, economic opportunities, and the reclamation of ancestral territories, sovereignty, and cultural heritage. While acknowledging the long road ahead, the delegation conveyed optimism for greater collaboration with Taiwan to advance indigenous human rights.
In closing, Chairperson Chen expressed her gratitude to the Canadian Parliament for its steadfast support of Taiwan’s participation in key international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). She emphasized that both Taiwan and Canada are part of the democratic community and voiced her hope for continued partnership in safeguarding human rights and upholding the values of freedom and democracy.
Also attending the meeting were NHRC Vice Chairperson Tsai Chung-yi, along with Commissioners Wang Yu-ling, Wang Jung-chang, Tien Chiu-chin, Chi Hui-jung, pasuya poiconx, Yeh Ta-hua, and Upay Radiw Kanasaw.