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Ma marks end of martial law 25th anniversary

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou presents a family member with a certificate clearing the name of a victim of suppression July 15 in Taipei City. (CNA)

• Publication Date：07/16/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou expressed his sincerest apologies to the victims of suppression during Taiwan’s authoritarian past in a ceremony July 15 marking the 25th anniversary of the lifting of martial law.

Ma also presented three surviving victims with special certificates clearing their names and restoring their reputations.

At the ceremony in Taipei City, Ma said a government’s infringement of human rights is more serious than such abuses by groups or individuals, and therefore self-reflection and compensation in such cases must be even more thorough.

This is especially true when as in the case of Taiwan, the current ruling party is the same as that which was in power when the violations of human rights occurred, he added.

The president noted that while there are many instances in history of governments abusing human rights, it is rare to see a situation in which the same government later admits its past mistakes and works to compensate its victims.

“When this happens, it is the result of the power of freedom and democracy,” he stressed.

Ma also pointed to the threat to human rights posed by war, noting that his administration has been working hard to improve cross-strait relations so as to avoid the possibility of conflict breaking out between the two sides.

He added that the government has for the same reason also been resolute in its efforts to strengthen the nation’s defenses and ensure the security of its citizens. (SB-THN)