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Day to mark end of martial law

From right, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Yu Shyi-kun, Legislator Chai Trong-rong and Premier Chang Chun-hsiung yesterday view photos at an exhibition organized by the DPP to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the end of martial law. PHOTO: CNA

Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) said yesterday that Sunday will be celebrated as "Lifting of Martial Law Memorial Day," but it will not be a national holiday.

"We can tolerate mistakes but we cannot forget them. It is the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law. We should face our history and mistakes bravely," Chang told yesterday's weekly Cabinet meeting.

There will also be a book exhibition, a photo exhibition and a concert to mark the day, while the post office will issue a set of commemorative stamps, he said.

"During the Martial Law era, many books and songs were banned because they were regarded as encouraging the public to rebel against the government. Those books will be on display during the exhibition and the songs will be sung at the concert," Cabinet Spokesman Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) said.

Shieh said the book exhibition will be held at the National Library from Saturday to July 31; the photos will be exhibited at the Presidential Office on Sunday and the concert will be held at Kaohsiung's Glory Harbor on Sunday.

Chang said Ministry of Justice statistics show that approximately 140,000 people were sentenced and jailed between May 19, 1949, and July 15, 1987, often without a trial and without evidence.

He said the government had paid a total of NT$18.29 billion (US$554 million) in compensation so far to 15,771 victims of the Martial Law era.

"It is my hope that the government can help the victims. We also hope that the memorial day will help future generations recognize our mistakes and avoid them," Chang said.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Post Co announced details of the commemorative stamps to be unveiled at the Presidential Office on Sunday.

The NT$12 stamps will feature designs featuring the restoration of the freedom of speech, freedom of publication and freedom to form political parties following the lifting of martial law in 1987.

The stamps will be on sale at the post office inside the Presidential Office from 8am to 4pm, as well as at other post offices that are normally open on Sunday.

Additional reporting by Shelley Shan
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