President Lai Ching-te paid tribute to those who fought and sacrificed for democracy during authoritarian rule and pledged to continue promoting transitional justice to redress past judicial wrongs and unite Taiwan.
The president made the remarks Aug. 31 in Taipei City while exonerating Chiu Huang-sheng, Chi Chiu-lang and Wu Ching-tsan, all of whom had been harmed by the government’s wrongdoing. This is the second time that such a ceremony has been held by the government.
As leader of the country, Lai apologized to the three and all democratic pioneers who had been wrongly accused during that dark period of Taiwan’s history, as well as their surviving family members. He added that it is important for the government to continue to scrutinize the past, engage in deep reflection to uncover the truth and seek reconciliation throughout society.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Premier Cho Jung-tai said recent amendments to the Act to Restore Victim’s Rights Infringed by Illegal Acts of the State During the Period of Authoritarian Rule are just one example of ongoing efforts by the government to provide better protection for victims of past judicial wrongs.
When the Presidential Office’s Transitional Justice Commission ended its work in May 2022, 5,983 cases seeking exoneration had been completed, and nearly 4,000 additional cases have been handled by the Ministry of Justice since the handover, he said. Cho added that 2,620 certificates have been issued to those seeking reputation restoration while more than NT$4.7 billion (US$147 million) has been paid in compensation across 2,126 cases. (SFC-E)
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