The National Human Rights Museum paid homage to victims of the White Terror era at a memorial service held on March 24 at New Taipei's Jingmei District.
Co-organized with organizations that promote rehabilitation and assistance for White Terror victims, the event was attended by 100 guests, including Deputy Culture Minister Celest Hsiao-ching Ting (丁曉菁), who saluted the contributions and sacrifices made by older generations in the fight for democracy and human rights.
Following the March 15 approval of the charter of the National Human Rights Museum, the museum will become Asia's first venue dedicated to preserving the historic memories of Taiwan's martial law era. The museum will focus on education in making that period of history known to younger generations.
In addition, the Green Island Human Rights Culture Park and the Jingmei Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park have respectively been renamed to the Green Island White Terror Memorial Park (白色恐怖綠島紀念園區) and the Jing-Mei White Terror Memorial Park (白色恐怖景美紀念園區) to memorialize history.
The National Human Rights Museum will hold its grand opening with a series of events on Green Island on May 17 and in Jingmei District on May 18.
During the March 24 memorial, Kao Ying-chieh (高英傑), son of Atayal victim Kao Yi-sheng (高一生), shared how his father and six other Atayal young men were falsely accused of being involved in the Xin Mei Leisure Farm corruption scandal as well as falsely charged for treachery and rebellion for applying for land reform in Dabao Community (today's Sanxia District).
The seven Atayal men were executed in 1954. Kao ended his speech with hope for such history to never repeat itself again so that the Taiwanese people can enjoy their hard-earned democracy.
Cellist Ouyang Hui-ru (歐陽慧儒), family member to another a White Terror victim, presented a recomposed Taiwanese folk song to honor those who fought for freedom and human rights.
The memorial concluded with attendees presenting white lilies that symbolize freedom and purity to pay homage and give gratitude to all those who sacrificed their lives for the democracy and freedom that Taiwan enjoys today.