TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Peruvian Ombudsperson Josue Gutierrez Condor welcomed Taiwan to participate in the 29th Ibero-American Federation of Ombudspersons (FIO) general assembly next month in Peru, during talks with Control Yuan Vice President Lee Hung-chun (李鴻鈞) on Wednesday.

According to the Control Yuan, Taiwan previously attended FIO meetings only as an observer. This year, it will join as a full extraterritorial member. Peru is this year’s host country.

Condor, who is in Taiwan for the 37th Australasian and Pacific Ombudsman Region conference, praised the nation’s resilience in safeguarding human rights amid global changes. 

He said that Peru is a multiethnic country composed of 55 cultures and, like Taiwan, is known for warmth, hospitality, and solidarity. He hoped that continued exchanges would further strengthen and solidify friendship and cooperation.

Lee and Condor exchanged views on enhancing the role of oversight institutions and their human rights functions. The Control Yuan vice president thanked FIO for its long-standing support for Taiwan and said both sides will work together to promote good governance and human rights protection. 

Founded in 1994, the FIO comprises Spanish and Portuguese-speaking ombudsperson offices and national human rights commissions. Taiwan’s Control Yuan began attending FIO general assemblies as an observer in 1999.

At the 28th FIO meeting in Paraguay in 2024, member states unanimously approved the Control Yuan as a full extraterritorial member — a breakthrough in Taiwan’s relations with oversight bodies in the Ibero-American region.