Mourning a Painful History – Respect For Human Rights Has No Geopolitical Borders
Translated by Guardians of Hong Kong October 17, 2021
The year 2021 marked the 32nd anniversary of the June 4th crackdown in Tiananmen Square. However commemorative activities in Hong Kong were unprecedentedly suppressed. Not only the candlelight vigil was banned for the second consecutive year, but also 26 pan-democrats attending the vigil the year before despite the ban were charged [added in translation: for inciting others to take part in unauthorized assembly] and even jailed. Looking back in history, be it war crimes or state violence, in many instances to hold those accountable for human rights infringements and to bring justice to the victims will take years or even generations.
The pursuit of truth and justice is often an uphill battle. To whitewash history, the regimes will do whatever they can to deter and prohibit people from commemorating these events. As such paying tributes to history of scars, passing on collective memories and feelings are not just acts to remember the victims, but also attempts of these people to uphold their values and beliefs, and to demonstrate their collective efforts to pay respect to human rights and defend the truth.
Then South Korean President was convicted for murder 15 years after Gwangju Uprising
In the 1980s, South Korean General CHUN Doo-hwan seized power in a coup. He then imposed national curfew and prohibited activities such as strikes, assemblies, marches and demonstrations. He also ordered to shut down universities. Against this backdrop, massive protests broke out in Gwangju region on 18th May 1980, demanding to end the curfew and Chun to step down. The government sent troops to lock down the whole Gwangju region. The troops occupied local universities, arrested and killed many students. Over 200,000 residents organized an armed resistance ending up in bloodshed in a crackdown causing thousands of civilian casualties. After the uprising, Chun became the president. He classified the event “Gwangju Riot” and in addition strictly prohibited any related reports or discussions. He went further to limit the freedom of many democrats and family members of the deceased victims.
Nonetheless civilian communities and the academia never stopped commemorating the Gwangju Uprising. Many university students and families of the deceased ignored official bans and suppressions, and hold annual demonstrations and vigils on 8th May. In addition, reporters and religious leaders broke through government blockades to expose information about the uprising. Gwangju Uprising is considered an important battle along the democratic progression in South Korea. It was only after Chun stepped down in 1987, the country gradually moved towards democratization. The government promised to investigate the events and allowed public discussions.
In 1988, eight years after the uprising, the event was formally named Gwangju Democratization Movement. In 1995 Chun and involved military officials were charged with coup d'état, civil rebellion and murder. Chun was convicted and sentenced to life (but was pardoned in 1997 by then President KIM Dae-jung). Victims and their families also received government compensations.
228 Incident – After 38 years of curfew, Taiwan saw transitional justice
After the Second World War, the Republic of China government took over sovereignty of Taiwan from Japan. However with runaway inflation and corrupt bureaucracy, the relationship between local Taiwan residents and the government worsened quickly. On 28th February 1947, a government official accidentally killed a civilian when investigating cigarette smuggling. Many civilians took to the street to protest and were met with gunfire. This triggered massive government and civilian conflicts. CHEN Yi, then officer in charge of the island, requested his senior to send armed forces from the mainland to support. Once the troops arrived, they started right away what they called “pacifying and cleaning the countryside” (suppression by force and arresting anyone suspicious). An official death estimate was over 18,000.
Two years after the 228 Incident, Taiwan implemented a curfew which lasted 38 years. The island was shrouded by a long period of White Terror. Dissidents and the educated, and ordinary people not spared, were being watched over, arbitrarily arrested, tortured and tried secretly by military police. The regime saw the 228 Incident as a taboo. The truth was covered up for years and justice long overdue. Despite strong oppression by the ruling party, calls for justice to the 228 Incident were never silenced. Democracy activists such as CHENG Nan Jung pushed hard to end the curfew. He also held talks and vigils to support and connect the victims and families of the 228 Incident, and demanded for redress.
Following the lifting of the curfew in 1987 and Taiwan’s gradual transition towards democracy, officials finally acknowledged the numerous human rights infringements during the 228 Incident and curfew periods. One landmark event was that LEE Teng Hui, then president in 1995, for the first time offered an apology on behalf of the government to the victims of the 228 Incident and all civilians. Furthermore Taipei 228 Memorial Museum was officially opened in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of the incident. Many human rights organizations and civilian groups continue to compile and publish historical documents about the 228 Incident. Advocacy events and public education are ongoing.
Square up to the scars in history – A fight between remembering and forgetting
As victims and witnesses of historical events grow old or die, plus related documents and evidences get scattered and lost, there are increasing difficulties in the work to restore facts, hold those responsible for crimes against humanity accountable, and honour the victims. Taking Gwangju Uprising and 228 Incident as reference: had civil society not persevered in commemorating the events to pass on the history despite oppressions, the truth may be covered up by various narratives and lost in history. As a result, people are unable to learn from history and prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
Paying tribute to victims in history and those who lost their life fighting for freedom is not only an act to show respect to these people, but also to uphold the rights and values in humanity. It is basic human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assemblies. Participating in peaceful memorial activities is part and parcel of such rights which should be respected by all people and regimes.
Source: The Stand News #Oct11
https://bit.ly/319eiYH (archive.org)
Originally published on the website of International Amnesty, Hong Kong Section
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