President Tsai Ing-wen says that Taiwan must continue to push for transitional justice and democracy, even in challenging times. Those words on Monday come as Taiwan marks the 75th anniversary of a violent government crackdown known as the 228 Incident.
The 228 Incident happened in Taiwan in 1947, shortly after China’s government, led by the Kuomintang (KMT), took control of Taiwan. Widespread disillusionment with government corruption sparked a popular uprising that spread across Taiwan. Government officials then launched a violent crackdown to quell the unrest, killing thousands of civilians in the process. The event is known as the 228 Incident because the uprising began in earnest on February 28, 1947.
Taiwan commemorates the victims of the violence every February 28 through a national holiday called Peace Memorial Day.
As Taiwan marks Peace Memorial Day this year, President Tsai Ing-wen is stressing the importance of transitional justice. She says Taiwan can only appreciate its democratic present by coming to terms with its authoritarian past.
Tsai says that the government is carefully moving forward with plans to remove symbols of authoritarianism. That includes making changes to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in the center of Taipei, which commemorates Taiwan’s former dictator.
Tsai says that Taiwan cannot take its current state of democracy for granted and must unite to overcome obstacles in pursuit of freedom, justice, and human rights. She is thanking civic groups for holding the government to account. Tsai says that it is essential for Taiwan to remember and learn from the darkest periods of its history.