Image Credentials: Image Title: Taiwan’s Intelligence Bureau Declassifies 51,000 Martial Law Files in Major Push for Transitional Justice Source: (sora.openai) Date: Feb 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.
OPEN CHRONICLE | Global Perspectives, Local Integrity
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
TAIPEI — In a historic step toward national reconciliation and transparency, the National Security Bureau (NSB) announced yesterday that it has completed the declassification of all political archives from Taiwan’s Martial Law era. The bureau has officially transferred over 51,000 files to the National Archives Administration (NAA), effectively opening a door to the country’s authoritarian past.
The initiative, which began in late 2024, involved a massive internal audit of records spanning the nearly four-decade military occupation of Taiwan by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) from 1949 to 1987. According to the NSB, personnel conducted a page-by-page review of more than 23,000 folders to ensure that no redacted content remains, fulfilling a directive to “face history and pursue the truth.”
A Catalog of Surveillance: The declassified documents offer a chilling look into the mechanics of the “White Terror.” The archives include detailed records on:
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Domestic surveillance and counterintelligence operations.
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Investigations into anti-authoritarian publications and anonymous letters.
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The tracking of overseas Taiwan independence groups.
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Strict entry and exit controls for citizens.
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Criminal judgments and case files regarding individuals accused of rebellion.
“It is of critical importance to open these political archives for research and public access,” the NSB stated, emphasizing that the move is essential for investigating the prosecution of political dissidents and restoring justice to victims and their families.
Fulfilling a Presidential Promise: The declassification follows a pledge made by President William Lai at last year’s 228 Incident memorial ceremony. President Lai committed his administration to accelerating the release of political archives to “set history straight” and promote social reconciliation.
NSB Director-General Tsai Ming-yen echoed this sentiment, instructing bureau personnel to ensure that the transfer to the NAA was comprehensive. The final batch of documents, contained in 94 boxes, was delivered yesterday, marking the conclusion of the second phase of the declassification project.
Cinema and Reflection: Coinciding with the release of these records, the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute announced free screenings of four films related to the White Terror and human rights struggles during the 228 holiday. Featured titles include Super Citizen Ko and March of Happiness, alongside international works The Trial and I’m Still Here.
By pairing the release of historical records with cultural reflection, officials hope to spark a broader dialogue on human rights and the complexities of Taiwan’s journey from a military-governed island to a vibrant democracy.