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The Control Yuan is the highest supervisory organ in the country. Because of changing times,many changes have occurred with its functions and organizational structure. Although the Control Yuan has transformed from a central democratic body to a non-representative agency, its core value of serving people has not changed. It exercises its powers of impeachment, censure,and audit granted by the Constitution and also accepts people’s complaints in accordance with laws. The Control Yuan is empowered to review and investigate government agencies’ actions; it can propose corrective measures and request that government agencies make improvements.
Other supervisory powers include conducting circuit supervision of the work and facilities of government agencies, and handling issues related to ethics of government officials and civil servants. It is the Control Yuan’s duty to promote integrity and good governance to protect people’s rights.
Over the long trajectory of history, the Control Yuan has carried many important historical memories. This special issue selects major cases and details their investigation results to show the hard work of previous presidents, members, and staff. Because of their efforts, the Control Yuan, part of the constitutional governing system, has effectively carried out its supervisory duties to protect the people’s rights and prevent corruption. In this term, we will continue to ensure that each member handles each case independently and transparently, and by doing so, protect people’s rights, rectify officials’ conduct, give full play to the Control Yuan’s supervisory functions, and fulfill constitutional duties. This special issue also records the Control Yuan’s participation in the international community. In 1994, under the name of "Control Yuan, R.O.C.," the Control Yuan joined the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI). In the early years of membership, due to political reasons, we were not able to particip te meaningfully. It was not until the Control Yuan changed membership from the Asian Region to the Australasian and Pacific Ombudsman Region (APOR) that the Control Yuan began to gain support from regional countries. Over the past 30 years, the Control Yuan has upheld a pragmatic attitude and seized every opportunity to participate in international conferences. We have invited ombudsman from different countries and enhanced international exchanges. Through concrete actions, the Control Yuan has fulfilled its obligations as an IOI member of and developed a network within the international ombudsman community.
After more than two decades of effort by the government and private sectors, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was formally established on August 1, 2020. This national human rights institution symbolizes the nation’s conscience; and it shows that the country is committed to speaking out for the most vulnerable groups, ensuring that people’s rights are protected in accordance with the Constitution, and to promoting human rights and social justice.
Since its establishment, the NHRC has paid attention to various human rights issues, provided independent opinions on national reports, expanded participation in international human rights affairs, cooperated with government agencies to promote human rights education, and worked with public and private organizations.
In the "Freedom in the World 2021" report published by the US-based Freedom House,Taiwan ranks second in Asia, with its competitive democratic system. This means that Taiwan’s democratic success is recognized by the international community, which is an achievement that is not easy to come by. In order to fully attend to people’s rights and fulfill the duties and obligations of a national human rights institution, we will continue to improve laws and regulations gradually and implement policies accordingly, with the expectation that the Control Yuan and the NHRC will work in concert for social justice and serve as reliable justice institutions for the people and the country.
Over the past century, the Control Yuan has gone through institutional and organizational changes. However, it has faithfully performed its duties, and has never forgotten either its social responsibilities or people’s expectations. This year is the 90th anniversary of the Control Yuan. The publication of this special issue aims to cultivate a better understanding of the agency, including its functions, institutional changes, and constitutional role. This special issue also demonstrates the Control Yuan’s determination toward transparency and innovation. We continue to reflect on the past, stand firmly in the present, and listen to the voices of the people. We will work with other agencies to safeguard human rights to make Taiwan a beacon for democracy and freedom, and a country of human rights.
Chen Chu
President of the Control Yuan
Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission
May 2021
