National Museum of Human Rights

Was this once a place of sorrow? The National Human Rights Museum stands as a solemn reminder of a dark chapter in Taiwan’s history. It was once the Jing-Mei Detention Center, a place where political dissidents were imprisoned and tried during the White Terror period. The National Human Rights Museum was established much later, in 2018. The museum aims to educate visitors about the period of martial law in Taiwan and its impact on human rights. Within the museum’s walls, you’ll find remnants of the former prison, including the chilling solitary confinement cells and the cramped communal cells where prisoners endured harsh conditions. The National Human Rights Museum also houses a wealth of documents, photographs, and oral histories that paint a poignant picture of the struggles faced by those who dared to challenge the authoritarian regime. One particularly poignant exhibit is the row of telephones where prisoners were allowed just ten minutes each week to speak with loved ones. Imagine the anguish of those conversations, the weight of every word spoken through the bars. While the museum’s exhibits are undoubtedly somber, they serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of human rights and the fragility of freedom.