Fortify Rights, a nongovernmental organization based in Southeast Asia, has been awarded the 2022 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award, the government-affiliated Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) announced Saturday.
TFD Chairman You Si-kun (???) said, via a pre-recorded video, the award was conferred on Fortify Rights in recognition of its efforts advocating for the human rights of the disadvantaged in a complicated geopolitical environment.
Despite being a relatively young organization, Fortify Rights has already brought “positive and real changes to the human rights advocacy work in Southeast and South Asia,” said You, who is the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative speaker, in the video posted on the TFD’s social media pages.
President Tsai Ing-wen (???) offered congratulations to Fortify Rights in a pre-recorded video, in which she said the organization’s “honorable truth-exposing, minority rights-protecting actions are evidence that human rights protection is truly a value that transcends borders.”
The organization’s efforts are also a demonstration that defending human rights is a principled task that resonates and inspires international actors who share the same commitment to democratic values to work together to achieve life-changing reforms, Tsai said.
Fortify Rights is composed of human rights defenders who conduct research into human rights violations and engage with people, media and the public to come up with potential solutions to address human rights concerns, according to the organization.
In a statement, Matthew Smith, co-founder and chief executive officer of Fortify Rights, expressed thanks to the people of Taiwan, Tsai and You for the tremendous honor.
“We share this moment in solidarity with all human rights defenders, and we remain inspired by Taiwan’s steadfast and enduring commitment to freedom and democracy. This award reminds us that we’re not alone and that human rights work is crucial to a better and more democratic future,” Smith was quoted as saying in the statement.
The award includes a sculpture and a grant of US$100,000 to support the work of the winner.
The TFD was initiated by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and established as a foundation by the Legislature. The annual award was created in 2006 to support individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the advancement of democracy and human rights in Asia.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel