Human Rights Advocates Laud Taiwan’s Approach to Addressing Historical Injustices
During a recent visit to Taiwan, two former members of the defunct human rights organization Memorial commended the nation’s ongoing work in the area of transitional justice. Nicolas Werth and Alexandra Polivanova, now the chairperson and representative of the International Memorial Association, praised Taiwan’s reflective approach to its past and its strides toward achieving justice for historical wrongs.
Acknowledging Taiwan’s Success in Transitional Justice
Werth and Polivanova’s visit, which coincided with Human Rights Day on December 10, included meetings with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and participation in a series of lectures co-hosted by the National Human Rights Commission and the French Office in Taipei. Their discussions focused on Taiwan’s efforts in addressing the injustices committed during its White Terror period and the broader process of societal reflection that has taken place since.
Taiwan’s Efforts: Inspirational for Global Human Rights Advocacy
In an interview with CNA, Werth and Polivanova shared their insights on Taiwan’s commitment to transitional justice. Werth, a historian specializing in Soviet history, was particularly impressed by two permanent exhibitions at Taipei’s Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: Taiwan’s Long Walk to Freedom of Speech and Chiang Kai-shek and the Republic of China. The former chronicles Taiwan’s fight for freedom of speech, spanning from the 1940s to the 1990s, while the latter focuses on the life of Taiwan’s longest-serving president, Chiang Kai-shek, whose tenure coincided with the White Terror period, a time marked by political repression and human rights violations.
Werth noted that the juxtaposition of these two exhibits was striking, as it showcased Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to reflect critically on its past. According to Werth, these exhibitions symbolize the progress that Taiwanese society has made in addressing its historical injustices and striving for transitional justice.
A Conversation on Post-Justice: Polivanova’s Observations
Polivanova, a Russian human rights advocate, also shared her reflections from her visit to Taiwan’s National Human Rights Museum in New Taipei. During her visit, she met Fred Chin, a former political prisoner from the White Terror era, with whom she discussed the concept of post-justice and the role of society in coming to terms with its past.
Polivanova was inspired by the open discussions among Taiwanese visitors to the museum. One particular discussion centered on whether the museum should be preserved in its original form as a detention center for political prisoners or be converted into a multimedia facility to better educate the public on transitional justice. Polivanova highlighted that this ongoing debate reflected Taiwan’s dynamic and evolving approach to justice, as well as its commitment to ensuring that historical reflection remains a continuous process.
The Importance of Reflection: Lessons from Russia’s Struggles
Drawing a stark contrast with Taiwan’s progress, Werth reflected on Russia’s lack of transitional justice, even after the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s. Despite the relative openness of the post-Soviet period, Werth explained that Russia failed to engage in the necessary critical assessment of its past. This oversight, he argued, has contributed to the resurgence of authoritarianism and historical revisionism, as exemplified by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Werth stressed that Taiwan’s example of reckoning with its past is a crucial lesson for other nations, particularly Russia, which has yet to confront its history of political repression. Without historical reflection, he warned, the past is destined to resurface in dangerous ways.
Polivanova on the Dismantling of Civil Society in Russia
Polivanova also discussed the repression of civil society in Russia, noting that while civil society played a crucial role in pressuring the government to end the first Chechen war, its power has been systematically undermined over the years. In 2012, the Russian government introduced laws that severely restricted the ability of civil rights organizations to collaborate with the international community. The crackdown on groups like Memorial culminated in the organization’s closure in December 2021, following the enactment of the Foreign Agents Law.
Polivanova emphasized the need for democratic nations to raise awareness about political prisoners in Russia and to support the country’s civil society. She also expressed her belief that supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggressive regime is an essential way to support Russian civil society and hold its leaders accountable.
Table: Key Aspects of Taiwan’s Transitional Justice Efforts
| Key Aspect | Taiwan’s Approach | Russia’s Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Transitional Justice | Ongoing efforts through museums and public debates | No significant transitional justice efforts |
| Historical Reflection | Reflects critically on the White Terror period | No critical assessment of Soviet or modern history |
| Civil Society Role | Active involvement in human rights discussions | Suppression of civil rights organizations |
| International Support | Strong support for democratic values and human rights | Limited support for democratic movements |
| Political Prisoners | Recognizing and rehabilitating victims of past repression | Continued repression, 1,400 political prisoners |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is transitional justice, and why is it important for Taiwan?
Transitional justice is a set of processes aimed at addressing the wrongdoings of the past, such as human rights violations. For Taiwan, this involves reflecting on and addressing the injustices of the White Terror period, fostering healing and societal reconciliation.
2. What did experts from Memorial observe during their visit to Taiwan?
Nicolas Werth and Alexandra Polivanova were impressed by Taiwan’s reflective approach to its past, particularly through exhibitions at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the National Human Rights Museum. They noted the importance of ongoing dialogue and critical reflection in achieving transitional justice.
3. How does Taiwan’s transitional justice approach compare to Russia’s?
Unlike Taiwan, Russia has not undertaken a significant process of transitional justice. Werth emphasized that Russia’s failure to critically assess its past has led to historical revisionism and ongoing authoritarianism, making Taiwan’s efforts all the more valuable.
4. What role did civil society play in Russia’s history?
Civil society played a crucial role in influencing government decisions, such as ending the first Chechen war. However, over time, Russia’s government has systematically dismantled civil society, undermining its ability to hold the government accountable.
5. What does Polivanova suggest as a way to support Russian civil society?
Polivanova advocates for supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia, as this not only helps Ukraine but also supports Russian civil society in its struggle for freedom and democracy.
