Located on a quiet country road along the north shore of Green Island, the prison draws hardly any attention from the tens of thousands of tourists who visit the island monthly. But there is nobody to read them, save the occasional group of officials or media who tour the place. Yet in a curious twist of irony one of Taiwan's most famous political prisoners is leading an effort to open to the public Taiwan's most infamous political prison. Whether you like it or not, it is a part of our history and should not be forgotten. Shih easily reflects on the place he walked out of more than a decade ago.
Life is unpredictable.
Of all places, human rights advocates say, Oasis Village is probably the most tangible piece of history that represents the ills of the Chiang Kai-shek regime and the White Terror period, during which thousands of Taiwanese were either jailed or killed. During the dedication of the monument on Dec. 10, which is also the 20-year anniversary of the Kaohsiung Incident, human rights officials hope to capitalize on the moment and call for the creation of a national human rights commission to uphold international human rights standards in Taiwan. The monument they see as a necessary beginning, if only a symbolic one. Opening the prison would go a long way toward this goal. But just getting the place opened will require all of Shih's determination and influence.