Friday, July 15, 2011
On July 15, 1987, then president of Taiwan, Chiang Ching-kuo, lifts a 38-year martial law decree imposed in May of 1949 by his father and predecessor, Chiang Kai-shek, initial leader of the Nationalists, or Kuomintang (KMT). The lifting of the martial law is considered a major milestone in Taiwan’s transition to democracy and is an event that helps clear the path for support from the West, particularly the United States. Under martial law, forming political parties is forbidden, and civilians can be tried in military courts on charges of sedition. Although martial law in Taiwan ends in 1987, Taiwanese citizens are not immediately granted certain rights considered inalienable in democratic societies. For example, immediately following the end of the decree, tight restrictions on freedom of assembly, speech, and the press remain in place.
Last month, in a statement addressing an international conference in Taipei, Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said that Taiwan is a young democracy that still has a long way to go toward maturity. The first direct elections for president only took place in 1996. In his recent statement, Ma reminded the audience that in Taiwan’s early years, "relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait remained tense, with several major battles taking place, but that did not deter Taiwan in its determination to pursue democracy." After Ma won the presidency in March 2008, then U.S. President George W. Bush referred to Taiwan as "a beacon of democracy to Asia and the world."
