Political Victims Return to Green Island, Passing on Historical Memory and Writing New Life Chapters

(CNA, Taipei, 18th) The National Human Rights Museum held the '2026 Return to the Isle of Memory for Political Victims and Their Families' event, returning to Green Island from the 16th to the 18th to review the history of the first political prisoners transferred to Green Island on May 17, 1951, to pass on memory and write new life chapters. According to a press release from the Human Rights Museum today, on the first day of the event, the 16th, attendees arrived at the Green Island Park and watched the human rights documentary 'Nine Shots,' and invited director Tsai Tsung-lung to share with the audience. Tsai Tsung-lung stated that Taiwan, having experienced the White Terror, has a profound understanding and reflection on human rights. He hopes to use visual storytelling to further lead everyone to reflect on the violence endured by vulnerable lives in the social structure, presenting a deep concern for human rights. On the morning of the second day, a group led by Human Rights Museum Director Hung Shih-fang accompanied White Terror victims and their families to offer flowers at the 'Thirteenth Squadron.' During the martial law period, victims who died while imprisoned on Green Island and were not claimed by relatives were buried in the public cemetery area from the foot of Niutou Mountain towards燕子洞 (Swallow Grotto). In the afternoon, Professor Chen Chin-chin from the History Department of National Dong Hwa University was invited to give a special lecture, where the seniors personally described scenes of their labor life, uncovering details sealed by history. In the afternoon, they visited the Human Rights Monument and Zhongliao Fishing Port, reminiscing about the first group of victims who, after a three-day sea journey in 1951, landed here and walked towards an unknown life of imprisonment under the scorching sun and heavy burdens. The Human Rights Museum stated that preserving the sites of injustice and passing on the life testimonies of the victims is its inescapable mission. Through this return to the site, families can more deeply feel the hardships their ancestors endured, and this suppressed history can be transformed into a driving force for progress. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching)