This short essay surveys the efforts to develop a human rights regime in Taiwan, from the earlier decades of authoritarian rule to that of a more open and democratic society. After a brief reexamination of the human rights situation in the early years, this paper concentrates on the era of the Chen Shui-bian Administration, analyzing its successes and failures. In the conclusion, several points are made concerning the problems confronting the Ma Ying-jeou Administration and urges both the government and civil society to persevere in the struggle for promotion and protection of human rights.