Taiwan's dissidents

In: Index on censorship, Band 9, Heft 6, S. 45-55

Abstract

The arrests and trials last spring of publishers, writers and others following the 'Kaohsiung Incident' on Human Rights Day, 10 December 1979, have focused international attention on human rights in the 'other' Republic of China – the island nation of Taiwan. The recent government crackdown ended a period of intense dissident activity, but in fact the past 30 years in Taiwan have seen several cycles where growing political debate was followed by repression, although in general there has been an easing of government harshness over the years. This article looks at the evolution of political dissent and official responses to it in Taiwan – particularly as these have affected writers and intellectuals.