The Cabinet approved the draft "sites of injustice preservation act" on July 18, defining the purpose, approval procedures, and preservation methods for such sites.
The act also stipulates penalties of six months to five years in prison and fines from NT$500,000 to NT$20 million (US$612,467) for damaging structures or relics at public sites of injustice.
Deputy Minister of Culture Wang Shi-si (王時思) said at a press conference that sites of injustice are locations where human rights violations took place under authoritarian rule, with "historical and educational significance for transitional justice."
Key points of the draft include investigation and review procedures by the Ministry of Culture, the formation of a review committee for major decisions, and a range of preservation methods based on site conditions.
Public land or building management agencies must draft preservation plans within two years of the announcement, with possible extensions available. For private sites, the act emphasizes respecting owners' wishes, minimizing property right infringements, offering incentives or subsidies for preservation.
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