Taiwan confronts injustices to aboriginals
Re: Why we created the missing women inquiry, Aug. 4.
Canada’s inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women deserves a big round of applause. At the same time, Taiwan’s first female President, Tsai Ing-wen, a Hakka of aboriginal descent, has offered a formal apology to Taiwan’s indigenous people for their “pain and mistreatment” over four centuries. These are examples of how a democratic society should address its past injustices and move toward a better future.
In Taiwan, an Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Commission under the auspices of the Presidential Office will be set up immediately. President Tsai has announced that she will lead that commission personally in order to address the injustices faced by indigenous groups. She also stressed that “to implement the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law (which took effect in 2005), to serve indigenous historical justice, and to lay the foundation for indigenous self-government” are the Taiwanese government’s three major policy goals towards indigenous people.
Canada and Taiwan are both democracies sharing common values and challenges. We have signed an MOU on indigenous exchanges and cooperation. We will learn from each other in advancing the rights and welfare of indigenous people.
Rong-chuan Wu, Representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada
