Shih Ming-teh's Political Will: Final Defense Statement at the Formosa Military Trial

In terms of Taiwan's history, the "Military Trial of the Formosa Incident" was a "Trial of the Century."
It not only judges the merits and demerits of the "Formosa Group," but also the suffering of the Taiwanese people.
It is also a test of the conscience and nature of the Kuomintang in power.

"Please sentence me to death! I beg! I beg!" — Shih Ming-teh at the Military Court on March 28, 1980

During his final hearing at the Formosa Military Court, Shih Ming-teh heard about the Lin family massacre on February 28th. He chose not to read his 60,000-word "Final Statement of Defense" and instead requested the death penalty in exchange for peace in Taiwanese society. This "Final Statement of Defense" thus became a "political testament."

Throughout the entire "trial," people saw me smiling and acting relaxed, but inside, I was deeply troubled and grief-stricken. I wasn't worried about my own life or death, but rather about why the people of this beautiful island had to sing the same sad elegy, generation after generation.

Every era has its dedicated warriors. Dedicated warriors always play tragic roles. Dedicated warriors know full well that their journey will be lonely, difficult, tragic, and filled with tears. Dedicated warriors are often rejected by their time, facing rejection, bullying, humiliation, imprisonment, and even murder. However, the narrow paths traversed by dedicated warriors will be trodden into broad paths by those who follow. Dedicated warriors' bodies will decay, but their moral courage and unwavering dedication to good will enrich human civilization and endure forever. Dedicated warriors do not belong to today, but they live on in tomorrow!

I do not expect to receive a fair judgment in this secular "court," but I firmly believe without a doubt that one day the court of history will give me justice!

This book fully includes the 60,000-word "Shih Ming-teh's Political Testament"!

The article "Shih Ming-teh's Political Testament" had a very rough fate. Because of its sharp arguments, it was first "seized" by the opposition for several years. After it was finally published in 1990, it was banned by the authorities in less than three months!

"Shih Ming-teh's Political Testament" is Shih Ming-teh's defense statement at the Military Tribunal during the Formosa Trial in 1980.

Beginning with literary thought and concluding with political advocacy, Shih Ming-teh reveals his journey to becoming a human rights activist.

The complete publication of this book preserves a true record of history and also provides a way out in this turbulent era!

2021-12-07

時報出版

224

9789571397412