The 228 Incident marked Taiwan's first major democratic movement after World War II, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) said today, urging people to safeguard the nation's hard-earned democracy.
Ahead of Peace Memorial Day tomorrow, Cheng said that the Incident was not only a tragedy, but also the opening chapter in Taiwan's struggle for democracy.
Cheng, joined by senior KMT officials and civic group representatives, laid flowers at the 228 Peace Memorial Monument in Taipei's 228 Peace Memorial Park, and called on citizens to protect democratic rule of law, freedom of speech and judicial independence.
Photo: CNA
The Incident was the result of state violence and abuse of power, leaving a painful legacy of oppression and bloodshed, she said.
Taiwan's democratic and legal systems were forged through successive democratic movements and were intended to ensure an independent judiciary, Cheng said.
However, she criticized what she called a decline in judicial neutrality.
"Taiwan's judiciary today has willingly debased itself by becoming a tool of those in power, serving as their claw to strike at political opponents," she said.
Constitutional democracy requires limits on state power, Cheng said, adding that a constitution exists to restrain those in authority and prevent abuse, not to serve as a ruler's instrument.
The 228 Incident refers to civilian uprisings in Taiwan and the violent crackdown by the Nationalist government against them that began on Feb. 28, 1947.
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