Radio Taiwan International
Date: 10 December, 2018
By: Andrew Ryan
President Tsai (left) presents this year’s Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award to Gusdurian Network Indonesia Chairperson Alissa Wahid (right). (CNA photo)
Human Rights Day is observed every year around the world on December 10. On that day, 70 years ago, the United Nations declared the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen marked the occasion by presenting the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award.
This year, the award went to a group called Gusdurian Network Indonesia (GNI). The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy is the group behind the award. It lauded GNI for “defending victims of conflicts that arise from religious differences and suppression of minority groups.”
During Monday’s ceremony, President Tsai spoke about the group’s connection to late Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, who is known as Gus Dur. She said the organization’s work is based on his core principles of tolerance and dialogue, and enabling oppressed minorities to play an important role in times of religious or ethnic tension.
President Tsai said that Taiwan has undergone a democratic transformation during the last 30 years. Even today, she said, there are still challenges to overcome.
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