Human rights advisory unit to be set up under Presidential Office: Ma

President Ma made the suggestion at a meeting he called with the participation of Vice President Vincent Siew, Premier Wu Den-yih and representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, the interior, justice and education, as well as the Government Information Office and civic groups. Scholars and specialists were also invited to attend.

As several scholars proposed setting up a government agency to be in charge of human rights affairs under the Presidential Office, President Ma directed that related government agencies study the feasibility, taking into consideration the Paris Principles which define the status and functioning of national institutions for protection and promotion of human rights, the Constitution, and functions of government agencies.

Some members of the Control Yuan, at other occasions, have suggested that the proposed commission under the Presidential Office should function only as an advisory group, and not conflict with the functions of the Human Rights Commission under the Control Yuan, which include case investigations.

In addition to the commission under the Control Yuan, in August 2001, a special task force was formed under the Executive Yuan for the promotion of human rights protection.

The President directed that while maintaining the functions of the Control Yuan commission and the task force under the Cabinet, government agencies can plan for the establishment of a task force with only advisory functions under the Presidential Office.

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