Taiwan commemorated the February 28 Incident of 1947 with a series of nationwide ceremonies, reflecting society’s desire to embrace reconciliation and salve the wounds of a painful chapter in its past.
During an event at National 228 Memorial Museum in Taipei City, President Tsai Ing-wen offered her condolences on behalf of the government to the victims of the incident and their surviving family members. She also vowed to uncover the facts and attribute responsibility for the incident through promoting transitional justice, a key plank in the government’s policy platform.
The goal of transitional justice is not to stage a struggle, but to promote reconciliation and ensure all segments of society take part in the process, she said. Only when the people look squarely at the history can the country unite and move forward, she added.
The incident took place 70 years ago when protesters demanded Gov. Chen Yi institute reforms. When these demands went unmet, people throughout the island rioted against the government. Military reinforcements dispatched from mainland China killed many while restoring order.
According to the president, Academia Historica recently launched the latest collection of Archives Materials on the 228 Incident, which include many documents previously undisclosed to the public.
The National Archives Administration has also declassified all related files in its collection, and will start compiling confessions, statements and verdicts of people suffering political persecution following the incident, Tsai said. Such records will serve as valuable reference in the production of a transitional justice investigation report by the government, she added.
In addition, the bill on promoting transitional justice will be fast-tracked for legislative review during the current session, the president said, adding that this will put a dedicated agency in charge of government measures in this regard while meeting the expectations of those who lost loved ones during the incident and its aftermath.
A number of other activities commemorating the incident were staged by civil rights groups throughout Taiwan, including book launches, exhibitions, memorial masses, movie screenings, music performances and seminars. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw