An act establishing the National Human Rights Museum was passed Nov. 28 by the Legislative Yuan, furthering efforts to restore historical truths and foster understanding of violations committed during Taiwan’s authoritarian past.
According to the law, the museum will be administered under the Ministry of Culture and serve as the country’s main facility for collecting and preserving historical documents and materials relating to human rights from the period Aug. 15, 1945, to Nov. 7, 1992.
The institution will comprise departments for exhibition affairs and public services as well as an archive. It will also manage two existing facilities at the sites of former jails that housed political prisoners—Jing-mei Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park in New Taipei City and Green Island Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park in southeastern Taiwan’s Taitung County.
Other responsibilities of NHRM include conducting research and revitalizing historic sites where significant rights violations occurred.
MOC Minister Cheng Li-chiun said the establishment of the museum demonstrates the country’s commitment to facing past wrongs and historical truths, and paves the way toward a more comprehensive understanding of human rights development in Taiwan.
According to Cheng, considerable groundwork has been completed on the museum project since the NHRM Preparatory Office was set up in 2011. The success of this preliminary work and the passage of the act are the result of joint efforts by government agencies and private groups in such areas as human rights education, political reconciliation and victim advocacy, she added.
Chen Chun-hung, director of the office, said the launch of the museum lends special significance to upcoming activities for international Human Rights Day, celebrated annually Dec. 10.
The preparatory office is staging three seminars at Jing-Mei Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park to mark the occasion, each featuring a former political prisoner sharing their experiences through collaborative efforts with academics, artists and writers. The one-day event will also include film screenings, concerts and talks. (CPY-E)
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