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 participate 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

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 e...

1 Organization and Members of the Control Yuan
2 The Control Yuan Building : Beauty Both Ancient and Modern
3 The Exercise and Evolution of the Control Yuan’s Powers
4 Protection and Promotion of Human Rights
5 Major Anti-Corruption and Supervision Cases and Their Results
6 International Supervision Affairs
7 People, Stories, and Activities
8 Heritage and Transformation

1 Organization and Members of the Control Yuan
2 The Control Yuan Building : Beauty Both Ancient and Modern
3 The Exercise and Evolution of the Control Yuan’s Powers
4 Protection and Promotion of Human Rights
5 Major Anti-Corruption and Supervision Cases and Their Results
6 International Supervision Affairs
7 People, Stories, and Activities
8 Heritage and Transformation