Ministry of Culture Upholds 4 Policies to Face Historical Truth on White Terror Memorial Day

(CNA, Taipei, May 19, by reporter Chao Ching-yu) The National Human Rights Museum held the '519 White Terror Memorial Day Ceremony' today, where Minister of Culture Li Yuan stated in his speech that the Ministry of Culture remains committed to promoting four policy directions, including the 'Act for the Preservation of Sites of Injustice,' to confront historical truth and promote social reconciliation. The ceremony at the National Human Rights Museum was attended by approximately 150 people, including National Human Rights Museum Director Hung Shih-fang, victim's family member Tu Ming-che, and political victims, their families, and signatories who advocated for the '519 White Terror Memorial Day'. The ceremony began with the ringing of a bell and a moment of silence for all, followed by a solemn performance of 'Song of the Covered Wagon' by violinist Lin逸欣 (Lin Yi-hsin) and dancers from 'Les Petites Choses Production'. In his speech today, Li Yuan mentioned that although the 'Act for the Preservation of Sites of Injustice' has not yet passed in the legislature, the Ministry of Culture has already been promoting the designation of 'Sites with Transitional Justice Significance.' For instance, the former residence of Lin Yi-hsiung, which is also the Gikong Presbyterian Church, has been designated as such a site. Li Yuan stated that, secondly, the Ministry is organizing the 'National Human Rights Memory Bank' and preserving and opening political archives, allowing everyone to see the historical truth directly and let the archives speak. 'In the past, our family dared not face it. It wasn't until over 70 years later that I received my uncle's last letter and found his grave in Liuzhangli, which somewhat made up for my personal regret. This is the importance of preserving archives and the Human Rights Memory Bank.' Li Yuan also said the Ministry of Culture continues to communicate with society through cultural activities and creations. For example, 'Book of Remains' by writer and political victim Chen Lieh won the first prize at the Golden Tripod Awards; and at the Ministry's inaugural 'Golden Comic Awards,' the first prize winner 'If I Were a Postman' by Corn辰 (Yu-chen) was also a work inspired by the White Terror. Through creation, these pains are seen and reflected upon by society. Li Yuan explained that the Ministry of Culture will also launch a 'European-Taiwanese Human Rights Touring Film Festival' to engage in dialogue with the international community during the Taiwan Culture Year in Europe. 'We will travel throughout Europe with the theme of human rights.' In Taiwan, the Ministry is also connecting the Human Rights Museum, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute to co-organize a human rights film festival, 'transforming the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall into a venue for human rights education.' Li Yuan expressed that as the Minister of Culture and a family member of a victim, he hopes 'all people and groups who are reluctant to face this transitional justice will understand that only by truly facing the truth of the past can we achieve complete mutual understanding.'