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Puerto Rico Ombudsman, Control Yuan Sign Cooperative Agreement

  • PostDate:2017-04-17

A delegation of Puerto Rico ombudspersons visited the Control Yuan (CY) on the morning of April 11, 2017. The delegation, headed by Puerto Rico’s top ombudsperson, Iris Miriam Ruiz Class, met with CY President Chang Po-ya. The two sides signed a cooperative agreement during a CY plenary meeting. In her speech at the meeting, Ms. Class talked about Puerto Rico’s efforts and achievements in the protection of human rights, as well as the development of its ombudsman system and the challenges that they face. Following the speech, the two sides engaged in a lively discussion, with Control Yuan members asking several questions about Puerto Rico’s ombudsman office, including related to budget independence, anti-human trafficking strategies, and relations between legislative and jurisdictive institutions. Also speaking at the gathering, CY President Chang welcomed the visit by Ms. Class and the rest of the distinguished delegation. She pointed out that the signing of the agreement will help to expand interactions and exchanges between the ombudsman institutions of R.O.C. (Taiwan) and Puerto Rico. Following the meeting, the delegation was given a guided tour of the Control Yuan. Ms. Class stated that she is deeply impressed by the checks and balances function of the Control Yuan and the high position that the ombudsman institution occupies within the government structure under the ROC Constitution. While in Taiwan, the delegation also visited the National Audit Office, Consumers’ Foundation, Taipei City Government’s Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, and various related private organizations in order to gain a better understanding of the overall situation in Taiwan with respect to protection of citizens’ rights.