Transitional Justice Commission exonerates 2,006 political persecution victims

2019/06/04

A total of 2,006 victims of political persecution during the authoritarian era were exonerated May 30, underscoring the government’s commitment to restoring historical truths and redressing judicial wrongs.
 
 The fourth set of exonerations unveiled by the Transitional Justice Commission includes individuals unjustly convicted for their involvement in Formosa Magazine, a pro-democracy publication launched in 1979. Among these are former Vice President Annette Hsiu-lien Lu, Secretary-General to the President Chen Chu and Shih Ming-teh, ex-chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party.
 
 Also on the list is the late writer and campaigner Lei Chen, who launched a magazine promoting freedom and democracy in 1949. A total of 5,837 victims of political persecution have now had their convictions overturned since the launch of the TJC last year.
 
 According to the commission, a ceremony will be staged July 7 in Taipei City to issue certificates of exoneration and spotlight the stories of those on the third and fourth lists.
 
 The TJC also unveiled a 9-minute documentary and 17-minute short movie May 29 and June 1, respectively, on surveillance programs during the authoritarian era. It is hoped that the films can help deepen understanding of this period and highlight the significance of public engagement in efforts to promote transitional justice and address past wrongs, it added.
 
 Established in May 2018 under the Act on Promoting Transitional Justice, the TJC is tasked with declassifying political archives, conducting investigations and delivering restitution to victims. Unjust convictions examined by the commission occurred 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.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)