New taipei: The transformation of a dark remnant of Taiwan’s authoritarian past into a venue for human rights education began in 2009, with the discovery of dozens of formalin jars containing human body parts inside an abandoned building in New Taipei’s Xindian district. These jars were uncovered by a journalist exploring the ruins of the “Ankang Reception House,” a euphemistically named 0.85-hectare compound where, since its opening in 1974, some of Taiwan’s most prominent political dissidents were interrogated and tortured.

According to Focus Taiwan, although rumors of state-sanctioned human experimentation were later debunked, the discovery stirred public unease and led to calls for authorities to address the decaying White Terror-era site. Today, the former instrument of one-party rule has been repurposed as a monument to the ideals and individuals suppressed within its walls. The site now hosts exhibits documenting its brutal past and offers guided tours organized by the National Human Rights Museum (NHRM).

Ankang provides a poignant illustration of the political persecution endured by detainees during Taiwan’s martial law period. Huang Lung-hsin, head of NHRM’s exhibition and education division, highlighted that the authoritarian government subjected individuals to severe human rights abuses. Accounts from former detainees like Yao Chia-wen and Chen Chu recount harrowing experiences of confinement, interrogation, and deprivation.

The site, now designated as a “site of injustice” by the New Taipei City Government, serves as a critical reminder of the era’s political repression. Despite some calls to convert the site into a green space, Huang emphasized the importance of preserving Ankang as the only remaining interrogation site from Taiwan’s martial law period, a tangible testament to the political persecution of the era.

Through guided tours of Ankang and other historic sites, the NHRM aims to deepen public understanding of the hardships faced by political prisoners. Since March 2025, the NHRM has organized over 100 tours, attracting nearly 500 participants.

Visitors to Ankang, despite its derelict state, can explore most of the compound and learn about its past functions. The site provides a visceral experience, as noted by visitors like a Hong Kong tourist surnamed Liu and Taiwanese resident Hsia, who brought her children to learn about the White Terror era. These tours aim to educate the public about Taiwan’s history of political repression under Kuomintang rule and ensure that future generations remain informed and vigilant against similar injustices.