High School Teachers and Students Explore Green Island's History of Human Rights and Transitional Justice

(CNA, Taipei, June 9, Reporter Chen Chih-chung) In June, the Ministry of Education invited high school teachers and students to visit the National Human Rights Museum's White Terror Green Island Memorial Park. They conducted on-site explorations of important historical sites such as the 13th Squadron, Oasis Villa, the New Life Correction and Instruction Center, and the Human Rights Monument to understand the history of human rights and transitional justice in Taiwan.

The Ministry of Education issued a press release today stating that a total of five sessions of the "Green Island Human Rights History Study and Education Promotion" workshop will be held starting in June, inviting high school teachers and students to Green Island.

Unlike the textual descriptions in textbooks, teachers and students, through guided tours and on-site explanations, personally entered the spaces where political victims once lived and were imprisoned. At these historical sites, they could feel the human rights violations during the authoritarian period and their impact on individuals, families, and society, making the memory more concrete and profound.

The event also arranged a "Human Library," inviting former political victims to share their life stories. Through their real experiences, participants can understand the human rights situation during the authoritarian period, further appreciate the preciousness of the current democratic and free environment, and recognize the efforts and costs of Taiwan's journey towards democratization.

The Ministry of Education pointed out that the great significance of transitional justice education lies not only in understanding history but, more importantly, in learning and reflecting from historical experience to comprehend the importance of human rights protection in a democratic society. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150609