To enhance the conversation on human rights at an international level, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chen Chu, fellow NHRC commissioners including Tien Chiu-chin, Chi Hui-jung, Kao Yung-cheng and Pasuya Poiconx, and human rights consultant, Awi Mona, visited Canada from October 14 to 23. They visited human rights institutions in Canada, met members of the Parliament of Canada, and were invited to deliver a presentation at the institute of the University of Ottawa, learning great lessons while winning recognition from different sectors.
Visit to Canada’s Human Rights Institutions and Members of Parliament
In response to the international review of the initial national report on the “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination” (ICERD) coming next year in Taiwan, Chen Chu led a delegation to visit Canada for learning and exchange in relation to the rights of indigenous peoples and the functions of human rights institutions, and delivered a presentation at the invitation of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) of the University of Ottawa. The delegation first met Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), and Jennifer Khurana, Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT). The two human rights institutions, established in 1977, have developed mature human rights protection mechanisms.
The NHRC bears the same responsibility for preparing independent opinions on national reports on human rights treaties as the CHRC. Chen noted that since Taiwan is not a UN member state, the treaties are incorporated into domestic law instead, and human rights experts of the UN are invited to Taiwan for review of relevant national reports.
During the conversation, Chief Commissioner Malischewski talked about several topics, such as how the complaint handling mechanisms and methods help deal with human rights violations and resource coordination, and issues related to indigenous peoples’ land and sexual assault in the military. Chen mentioned that former Chief Commissioner Michelle Falardeau-Ramsay came to Taiwan in March 2002, and she looked forward to the CHRC’s next visit to Taiwan to further their dialogue.
The delegation then visited the CHRT. As Chairperson Khurana stated, despite the CHRT’s quasi-judicial nature, the institution does not directly accept cases; it only handles the complaints transferred by the CHRC. Complainants dissatisfied with the CHRT’s decisions may appeal to the Federal Court for adjudication.
The CHRT emphasizes the importance of communication and coordination in tackling human rights issues, which is what Taiwan’s system lacks and, according to Chen, something that is worth learning.
Further, the delegation met Chair of the Taiwan-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Judy Sgro, Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Jamie Schmale, Senator and Deputy Whip of the Conservative Party, Leo Housakos, and eight bipartisan members of parliament including Michael Cooper, Rachel Blaney, Chandra Arya and John McKay.
Chen shared the current state and challenges of human rights in Taiwan, covering President Tsai Ing-wen’s official apology to the indigenous peoples in August 2016, Taiwan’s status as the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and female representation of 42% in the Legislative Yuan in 2020. It was also mentioned that Taiwan is the greatest victim of disinformation attacks in the world.
Pointing out that Canada’s 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy mentioned the collaboration between Taiwan and Canada in economics and trade, technology, public health, democratic governance, and combating disinformation, Chen expressed hope for more conversation and collaboration in terms of the education on human rights and citizen media, so that Taiwan could play the role of an important beacon of human rights in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to Chair Sgro, with Taiwan’ successes regarded as part of Canada’s experience, a stronger collaborative foundation would be developed between the two countries after this visit. Both of them also exchanged views on issues such as the judicial powers of national human rights commissions, the proliferation of disinformation, trade agreements, and human rights. Chen said she looked forward to support for Taiwan in joining international human rights organizations, so that Taiwan could have the opportunities to contribute to the international community.
Chairperson Chen Chu Presenting Taiwan’s Human Rights History at the Invitation of the University of Ottawa’s Academic Organizations
Invited by the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) and the “Taiwan Studies Program” of the University of Ottawa, Chairperson Chen Chu gave a presentation on the topic of “From authoritarianism to democracy: Freedom and human rights in Taiwan,” which attracted more than 100 participants including scholars, officials and representatives of the overseas Taiwanese community.
As emphasized in her presentation, Taiwan has, despite decades of authoritarian rule and international isolation, overcome a variety of challenges and turned into a democratic Asian country, and tried to keep in line with the international society by incorporating international human rights conventions into domestic law. Taiwan is particularly willing to share experience and collaborate with other countries in regard to human rights issues in the future, looking forward to making efforts with partners to pool resources and jointly defend hard-won democracy in the face of the expansion of global authoritarianism.
Visit to the Museum of History, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and Museum for Human Rights
A visit was paid to Caroline Dromaguet, President of the “Canadian Museum of History,” which artistically introduces diverse ethnic groups such as the indigenous peoples, European immigrants, and Chinese migrant workers and immigrants. Chen gave positive recognition for Canada’s ability to celebrate its indigenous peoples, bravely accept the mistakes of the past, and create a museum from the perspective of “decolonization,” which is worth learning from.
The delegation also went to the “National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation” in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to learn about the Canadian government’s efforts to heal the historical trauma caused by its “assimilation policies,” under which indigenous children were forced into residential schools. Associate Executive Director Jolene Head shared how Canada has taken a series of actions to discover the truth, promote reconciliation and apologies, and work with the community to allow perpetrators and victims to face the dark past together, with relevant events organized on September 30, the National Truth and Reconciliation Day of the country.
As highlighted by Chen, the indigenous peoples in Taiwan have undergone the experience of forced assimilation as well, being deprived of their languages, writing systems, land, etc.; finding out the truth and admitting mistakes is the only key to true reconciliation. Both sides further talked about the practical experience of initiating national investigations on human rights cases involving indigenous residential schools, and the process of promoting reconciliation and human rights education.
The next stop was the only national “Human Rights Museum” in North America. Chen introduced the role of Taiwan’s National Museum of Human Rights as the first Asia-Pacific branch of the Federation of International Human Rights Museums, which has interacted with many countries in recent years. She also expressed her hope for continuous interactive discussions on human rights issues with Canada through the exchange and curation of the collection of cultural relics in the future, in order to enhance the public understanding about the concept of human rights.
Visit to BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner and Human Rights Tribunal
A visit was made to BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, an independent agency established in 2019 and not affiliated with the federal government. This agency accepts no complaints; its primary tasks are to investigate and address discrimination issues for British Columbians, promote human rights, and facilitate the revision of laws and policies.
The delegation led by Chen went to Vancouver as their last stop, sharing experiences and exchanging thoughts with Kasari Govender, BC’s Human Rights Commissioner. Chen praised the unit for its investigation report on the discrimination during Covid-19, which was an emerging human rights issue the entire world was facing together during the pandemic; the practice serves as an example to follow. A conversation was also held with Emily Ohler, Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal, on the acceptance of complaints, mediation and relief channels, and complaints from indigenous peoples.
Finally, the delegation attended a seminar with the overseas community in Vancouver to introduce the current state of human rights in Taiwan and the operations of the NHRC, and answered the participants’ questions concerning the current state of judicial reform and right to adequate housing in Taiwan, as well as Taiwan’s experiences with indigenous transitional justice.