On May 22nd, Emily Ohler, Chair of the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal (BCHRT), paid a visit to Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). NHRC Chairperson Chen Chu warmly welcomed her long-time friend, expressing gratitude for her return visit and highlighting the NHRC’s efforts to establish an effective complaint mechanism for addressing human rights violations. Chairperson Chen highlighted the common challenges faced by Indigenous communities in both Taiwan and Canada, as well as the NHRC’s dedication to Indigenous history and transitional justice. She expressed hope that through ongoing visits and the building of trust with Canadian human rights organizations, the NHRC could improve its capacity to manage complaints and tackle Indigenous issues. Chairperson Chen also pointed out the significance of collaborating with the BCHRT, particularly in light of the substantial Taiwanese population in Vancouver, B.C. In response, Ohler remarked that fostering relationships between human rights institutions is crucial for advancing human rights initiatives.
Last October, the NHRC made a similar visit to the BCHRT, where Chair Ohler and the NHRC delegation exchanged insight on complaints handling, mediation, and remedies, including cases related to Indigenous rights. During this return visit, the two sides engaged in substantive discussions on human rights topics and complaint mechanisms.
Chair Ohler praised the NHRC for its remarkable accomplishments in a relatively short timeframe, especially in its efforts to boost Taiwan's commitment to international human rights agreements, facilitate discussions with the government, and support individual cases. She also showed keen interest in Taiwan's methods for addressing transitional justice for Indigenous peoples, recognizing potential insights for Canada as it seeks to integrate alternative techniques for resolving disputes into its own frameworks.
Chair Ohler commented that the BCHRT has been addressing discrimination complaints for more than two decades. In light of the increasing volume of complaints and the changing needs of Indigenous communities, the BCHRT is updating its complaint procedures and testing out new initiatives. Similar to the NHRC, the BCHRT offers a direct complaint mechanism with a particular emphasis on Indigenous rights. Both organizations aim to provide solutions for individuals facing discrimination or related issues. As the BCHRT strives to modernize its procedures to tackle current challenges, discussions focused on complaint-handling processes have proven especially valuable. This exchange not only familiarized the BCHRT with previously unconsidered strategies but also broadened its perspective on how other countries address human rights violations.
NHRC Vice Chairperson Tsai Chung-yi and Commissioners Pu Chung-cheng, Kao Yung-cheng, Tien Chiu-chin, and Chi Hui-jung, who accompanied the NHRC’s visit to Canada last year, were also present at the meeting.
After the visit, Ohler took part in a professional exchange with the NHRC, where she engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding the organizational structure and procedures for managing complaints. Vice Chairperson Tsai presented case studies and elaborated on the NHRC’s continuous initiatives to enhance its complaint-handling system. Commissioner Pu Chung-Cheng provided an overview of the current situation concerning Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples and their rights while highlighting the ongoing challenges in ensuring these rights are protected. Ohler discussed the BCHRT’s methods for addressing complaints—particularly those involving Indigenous peoples—and commended Taiwan’s initiatives in safeguarding Indigenous rights, which have left a significant impact on her.