President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday pledged to complete the first-ever official investigative report on the White Terror era within three years, saying that past deeds could be forgiven, but not forgotten.
At an event to mark Human Rights Day at the Jingmei Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park in New Taipei City, Tsai said the government was looking into “political files” regarding the White Terror era, calling them the “last piece of the puzzle” in the government’s investigative report.
“Going through all the documents is a mammoth task. Many of the political files from 1945 to the 1992 amendment to Article 100 of the Criminal Code are scattered among various government agencies, such as the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Investigation Bureau,” Tsai said.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
“Nevertheless, no matter how much dust that has accumulated on top of the files, we will dig out each and every one of them. We will let this part of history see the light of day,” she said.
The president said that the government’s attempt to achieve transitional justice does not target any individual or political party, nor is it aimed at galvanizing political conflict among ethnic groups.
“The experiences of political persecution go beyond ethnic boundaries,” Tsai said.
The White Terror era refers to a period of repression that began after the 228 Incident in 1947, when an anti-government uprising was violently suppressed by the then-Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government, which later declared martial law and initiated purges.
Historians estimate that between 10,000 and 30,000 people were killed during the crackdown.
During the event, Tsai also conferred upon the seven children of White Terror era victim Chang Yu-lan (張玉蘭) certificates that symbolically restore their mother’s dignity.
Chang, a deputy stationmaster at the Taiwan Railways Administration’s Pingtung Station, was subjected to severe torture during her 254-day detention after being arrested on suspicion of colluding with communist rebels.
Earlier yesterday, Tsai visited the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy to preside over an award ceremony presenting the Asia Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances with the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award.
Taiwan is willing to commit to increased dialogue and interactions with the rest of the world on the issues of freedom, democracy and human rights, Tsai said.
The federation’s efforts have been one of the main causes for the UN to adopt the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances in 2006, and despite limited resources and political pressure, the federation has continued to track and help missing people.
One of the most common reasons for disappearances is political oppression, Tsai said, adding that Taiwan is willing to share its experiences to say thank you for the support and encouragement from the international community during the nation’s struggle for freedom and democracy.
The nation is willing to adopt closer cooperation with the federation, Tsai said, adding that she is looking forward to the foundation’s efforts to spread democracy, freedom and human rights not only to Asia, but also around the world.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old