[Politics] Calls to Abolish Control Yuan Resurface; Control Yuan Members Concerned About Investigation Authority and Future of Human Rights Commission

Following the recent announcement by the Presidential Office of the list of nominees for the 7th Control Yuan, discussions about the abolition of the Control Yuan have resurfaced. Control Yuan members Chi Hui-jung and Fan Hsun-lu both stated that if the Control Yuan were to cease operations, how the investigative powers would be adjusted is worthy of in-depth societal discussion. Chi Hui-jung also expressed concern that the National Human Rights Commission, established within the Control Yuan, could be affected, potentially impacting Taiwan's image as a beacon of human rights in Asia. #Reported by Radio Taiwan International (RTI) correspondent Cheng Yu-han# After the Presidential Office recently released the list of nominees for the 7th Control Yuan, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an called on the legislative caucuses of the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party to reject all nominations and freeze the Control Yuan's budget during the review process. This has reignited the debate over the existence of the Control Yuan. Control Yuan members Fan Hsun-lu and Chi Hui-jung responded to this matter in interviews after a press conference on "Correcting the Investigation Bureau." Fan Hsun-lu stated that many related remarks carry political manipulation. Under the current constitutional system, the Control Yuan still exists according to the law. She also emphasized that if supervisory powers are abolished, there must be clear plans and institutional designs for how future cases of serious misconduct will be investigated and who will supervise government agencies, rather than simply saying "abolish the Control Yuan." She said: "(Original sound) According to the constitution, we still exist, so we diligently do what we should do every day. If you believe that in the future there will be no supervisory power, who will handle these cases from the Investigation Bureau? Who will supervise government agencies? Congress? Therefore, the people should deeply consider how investigative and supervisory powers will be arranged in the future. We need a constitutional amendment process to discuss this properly." Regarding the suggestion to merge supervisory powers into the Legislative Yuan, Chi Hui-jung pointed out that if the legislature is to exercise investigative and supervisory powers, based on cases in other countries, it is usually established within a bicameral legislative framework. However, Taiwan currently has a unicameral system, and there are many issues in the relevant institutional design that need discussion. Furthermore, before any constitutional amendment, the transfer of related powers cannot be handled. Chi Hui-jung also admitted that the Control Yuan has been heavily criticized and stigmatized in recent years, putting considerable pressure on many diligent Control Yuan members. She stated that her biggest concern is the future of the National Human Rights Commission. After all, the National Human Rights Commission was established after many years of advocacy by civil groups and international organizations. If it were to be abolished along with the Control Yuan, it might lead the international community to question Taiwan's progress in human rights development and even affect Taiwan's image as a beacon of human rights in Asia.