Re-Constructed Unitary History on Green Island, Taiwan: The Former Political Prison/Oasis Villa

Abstract

during the Period of National Mobilisation for Suppression of the Rebellion, and followed this by imposing Martial Law throughout Taiwan. This period of Martial Law lasted for 38 years. With legislation such as the Offenses against the Internal Security of the State in the Criminal Code, the Betrayers Punishment Act and Statute to Prevent Espionage, the government and its various secret agencies and military tribunals, created a climate in which improper trials were common place. This resulted in loss of life, freedom and property, and serious, and ongoing, violations of human rights. During the period of Martial Law, the government, police or security forces were involved in torture; the harsh treatment, including psychological pressure, of detainees; surveillance and harassment of the relatives and other associates of the dissidents; and the sentencing for an average of 10 years of several hundred political prisoners. Of those affected during the period only a minority were actually Communist agents or engaging in rebellionas defined by law, most were falsely accused, or the victims of mistakes or fabricated cases. Individuals could be either sentenced to death and executed, or sent to prison. The best preserved of the prisons from this period are the Military Prison situated on the outskirts of Taipei and the prison on Green Island.