MOC minister vows to advance human rights, transitional justice in Taiwan
2018/03/06
Advancing human rights and transitional justice in Taiwan through expanded public dialogue and historical research is a top policymaking objective of the Ministry of Culture, according to MOC Minister Cheng Li-chiun.
The ministry is working with all segments of society to reflect on the past and help Taiwan move forward, Cheng said. This is to be accomplished through such undertakings as transformation of the National Chiang-kai Shek Memorial Hall and establishment of the National Human Rights Museum, she added.
Cheng made the remarks during an address in Taipei City marking the February 28 Incident of 1947. The incident occurred when protesters demanded Gov. Chen Yi enact reforms. When these demands went unmet, riots broke out against the government. Military reinforcements dispatched from mainland China killed many while restoring order.
According to Cheng, the MOC has been running a public engagement program since last year aimed at determining the most suitable way of repurposing the hall. This involves arts, education, politics and spatial design professionals discussing ideas via participation projects, digital platforms and scenario workshops, she said.
Each workshop was livestreamed, enabling the public to participate and raising understanding of the process, Cheng said, adding that more of the events are scheduled around Taiwan this year.
In addition, the MOC is holding the “Imagining Memorial” exhibition at the hall until April 8 to encourage a public rethink on the facility. As of January, around 270,000 visitors had experienced the event and shared views using the official website and Facebook page.
These efforts coincide with the scheduled establishment in May of the MOC-administered National Human Rights Museum. It will serve as Taiwan’s main repository of historical documents and materials relating to human rights from the end of 50 years of Japanese colonial rule Aug. 15, 1945, to the lifting of martial law five years after Taiwan proper in outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands Nov. 7, 1992.
According to the ministry, other missions tasked to the museum include researching and revitalizing historic sites where significant rights violations occurred and managing two facilities located at former jails that housed political prisoners: Jing-mei Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park in New Taipei City and Green Island Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park in Taitung County, southeastern Taiwan.
As part of the milestone development, Cheng said NHRM Preparatory Office is partnering with Taipei-headquartered Memorial Foundation of 228 to review victim files and collect oral accounts for display and educational purposes. The primary goal is to offer an authentic look into the history of the February 28 Incident of 1947 and White Terror, she added.
Cheng, who believes promoting human rights and transitional justice is key to safeguarding Taiwan’s democratic development, said implementation of a related act passed by the Legislature in December 2017 serves as an important legal foundation for achieving this outcome.
But it takes more than legal and political procedures to realize transitional justice, Cheng added, drawing a line under the role played by cultural expression and dialogue in spurring the social process of public contemplation.
Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=18&post=130333)
