On the morning of December 10, President Ma Ying-jeou attended activities at Taipei Zhongshan Hall to mark International Human Rights Day 2013, which focused on the theme of "Cherishing Memories and Defending Human Rights." He saluted all former political victims and their family members, and reiterated that the government would continue to face the facts of history and empathize with their suffering.
The president stated that during Taiwan's 38-year period of martial law, many young people with ideals and aspirations were arrested and handed unjust verdicts. They sacrificed their youth, and in many cases their health and even their lives. It also brought unbearable pain and suffering to their families. To recognize these victims of political persecution, the Preparatory Office of the National Human Rights Museum specially invited 360 martial law victims and their family members to attend the event, he said, noting that they are witnesses to history, and remind the government of the importance of protecting human rights.
Noting that December 10 is the day that the United Nations (UN) passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 65 years ago, President Ma commented that the ROC government participated in the drafting of the declaration, but later lost its seat at the UN and therefore was unable to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It was not until May 14, 2009 that the ROC completed the ratification of these two covenants, he remarked. On April 22 of the same year, the nation passed an enforcement act to incorporate the two covenants into domestic law and better protect human rights here, he stated.
Commenting on substantive efforts by the government to provide solace to the families of political victims, the president mentioned that the government has for many years released funds via the Compensation Foundation for Improper Verdicts. To date, about NT$19.6 billion of compensation has been paid out, and documents have been issued restoring the good names of 4,053 individuals, he said. In addition, the private papers of 53 political victims have been returned to family members. The president mentioned related work will continue.
President Ma reiterated that he has always advocated facing the facts of history and showing empathy for the suffering of victims and families in the handling of the 228 Incident and the White Terror. In particular, he said, the political party now in power is the same one as during the martial law period, namely the Kuomintang, so the government cannot avoid this issue. Only by honestly facing the facts of history and sincerely examining what happened, said the president, can the truths of history be clarified and solace be given to the family members of the victims.
Lastly, the president reiterated that human rights violations of this type absolutely cannot recur, and the key is to prevent wars from taking place, because once war erupts, human rights violations become inevitable. Indeed, he said, history is replete with examples, so the government will continue to use peaceful means to resolve disputes. Now that the painful days faced by victims and their families have passed, he commented, we cannot let their sacrifices be in vain. The nation must learn the lessons of history and work to improve. This is what a responsible government should do, he concluded.