From UPI Asia Online:
Last week, on July 15, Taiwan marked the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law. On that day, the elderly President Chiang Ching-kuo declared an end to the 38-year martial law era initiated by his father, President Chiang Kai-shek.
During those years, the Taiwan Garrison Command had the right to enter people’s homes to check their household registry; to inspect books, newspapers and magazines; to stop public parades, strikes and assemblies; to ban associations; to restrict citizens’ entry and departure from the country; to open, read or confiscate citizens’ personal letters and telegrams; and even to try citizens in military courts. The people were deprived of most of their basic Constitutional rights during the martial law period. [Full Text]
Watch President Chen Shui-bian’s video address to the European Parliament in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law in Taiwan:
