On May 20th, 2024, the Honourable Judy Sgro, Chair of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group and Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade, House of Commons, led a high-level, 11-member Canadian parliamentary delegation to Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The delegation was warmly received by NHRC Chairperson Chen Chu, and the two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on human rights topics.
During the meeting, Chairperson Chen recalled her visit to Canada in October 2023, where she led the NHRC delegation to engage with prominent organizations such as the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT), the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Parliament of Canada. This trip provided valuable insights into Canada’s approach to promoting Indigenous rights and its legislative frameworks on human rights. Chairperson Chen expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended by Chair Sgro in 2023, noting the significance of this reciprocal visit. She emphasized the importance of bilateral exchanges in strengthening international human rights efforts.
In her remarks, Chair Sgro highlighted that the delegation’s visit to Taiwan also included participation in Taiwan’s Presidential and Vice Presidential inaugurations, along with a series of other engagements. Notably, the delegation visited the National Human Rights Museum, deepening their understanding of Taiwan's transformation from authoritarianism to a vibrant democracy. Chair Sgro commended Taiwan's progress in protecting human rights and expressed optimism for continued cooperation and mutual exchanges in the years ahead.
During the discussions, Chairperson Chen outlined the NHRC’s commitment to upholding international human rights conventions and protecting human rights both domestically and globally. She explained how the NHRC fosters collaboration with government agencies and civil society groups to address human rights concerns. Furthermore, the Commission seeks to learn from international experiences to align Taiwan with global human rights standards.
The Canadian parliamentary delegation praised Taiwan for its strong commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. Members of the delegation acknowledged the shared values between Canada and Taiwan and expressed their eagerness to continue strengthening ties through future collaborations.
The NHRC presented its medium-term strategic plan for 2023-2026, focusing on pressing human rights issues such as environmental rights, climate change, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including women, children, migrant workers, and Indigenous peoples. The Commission also discussed ongoing initiatives to advocate for anti-discrimination legislation and the incorporation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) into Taiwan’s domestic law.
In her closing remarks, Chairperson Chen stressed that democracy is at the heart of Taiwan’s identity. She thanked the Parliament of Canada for its unwavering support, describing the delegation’s visit as a powerful source of encouragement for Taiwan.
The meeting was also attended by NHRC Vice Chairperson Tsai Chung-yi, Commissioners Wang Yu-ling, Tien Chiu-chin, Chi Hui-jung, pasuya poiconx, Kao Yung-cheng, and Yeh Ta-hua. The delegation was accompanied by James Stafford Nickel, Executive Director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT), and Harry Ho-jen Tseng, Representative of Taiwan in Canada.