With the ad-hoc Transitional Justice Commission (TJC) scheduled to disband in May, the Executive Yuan approved a plan on Thursday that it said would allow the government to continue promoting transitional justice and human rights in Taiwan.
The plan includes an amendment to establish a “transitional justice board” under the Cabinet to review and coordinate tasks taken on by different government agencies following the commission’s dissolution, Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng (???) said at a press briefing.
The commission was given a two-year mandate when it was established on May 31, 2018 in accordance with the Act on Promoting Transitional Justice, but has since had its operational life extended with the approval of the premier.
The commission will formally disband on May 30 after releasing a “mission conclusion report” on its work over the past four years.
The bill, which was approved by the Cabinet on Thursday and will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for approval, also details the handover of the commission’s duties and tasks to different ministries and government agencies.
According to TJC commissioner Chen Yu-fan (???), work related to the removal of authoritarian symbols and exoneration of the victims of political persecution during the martial law period will be handled by the Ministry of the Interior.
The Ministry of Culture will be responsible for preserving historical sites of injustice, while the Ministry of Education will be tasked with promoting education pertaining to transitional justice and human rights, Chen said.
Issues that require cooperation among various ministries and agencies will be discussed and coordinated by the proposed “transitional justice board,” she added.
The premier will lead the planned board and convene regular meetings, Lo said.
Currently, the Cabinet is also planning to set up a working group that will work to ensure a smooth handover of the TJC’s duties at the end of May and facilitate subsequent efforts under the planned board, Lo added.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel