(TAIWAN, December 2022)—On International Human Rights Day, the President of Taiwan and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy announced Fortify Rights as the recipient of the 2022 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award in recognition of “meticulous” human rights investigations and “prominent impact” in Southeast Asia. The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy gives the award annually to “courageous individuals and groups who build democracy, stand up for justice, and defend human rights.” The award comes with a grant of US$100,000.
For the second consecutive year, in place of an in-person award ceremony, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen and the Chair of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy issued video statements online about this year’s award.
“[Fortify Rights’] efforts also demonstrate that defending human rights is a principled task that resonates with and inspires like-minded international actors to work together to achieve life-changing reforms,” said President Tsai Ing-Wen in her remarks. “The conferral of the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award on International Human Rights Day further highlights the contribution Fortify Rights has made around the world.”
“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 Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Chair You Si-Kun. “This year’s Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award is awarded to Fortify Rights to recognize their efforts in advocating for human rights of the disadvantaged under a complicated geopolitical environment.” To accept the award and thank Taiwan Foundation for Democracy for its recognition, Fortify Rights prepared a short video featuring team members describing our work, its impacts, and hopes for the future. Fortify Rights also published a news release about the award.