Stubborn Resistance: Museums during War and Conflicts

Editorial Note

The complex and volatile geopolitical environment of the Asia-Pacific region gives rise to frequent regional conflicts and human rights abuses, forcing upon many the fate of exile and displacement. The stories of those who have experienced such hardships have been recorded and disseminated through art exhibitions, museum collaborations, and community action, each voicing the resilience and determination of their creators. These collaborative initiatives are sometimes promoted through general museums or even by a single individual in the form of unconventional museums.

This issue of FIHRM-AP features five articles on how efforts to resist the oppression of human rights are underway in Myanmar, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. They not only reveal the tenacity and innovation of museums under the fire of conflict, but also how they have given voice to the exiled and oppressed. Through art and documentation, they etch their marks on history and evoke solidarity and support among more people.

The first article, "Community-driven Memorialization and Identity Preservation of the Rohingya of Myanmar" by Rohingya Human Rights Network founder Raïss Tinmaung, discusses the crisis of identity erasure of the Rohingya people in Myanmar, the escalating ethnic cleansing and conflict, and the global Rohingya community's active efforts to digitally preserve village sites, identity records, and personal histories.

The second article approaches from a perspective within Myanmar. Written by Aung Min, "Aung Mental Health Initiative: A Window to A long Rooted Complex Trauma in Myanmar" shares how Yangon residents, long shadowed by the stressors of conflict, have suffered from mental illnesses, drug abuse, and poverty. Through art therapy and film-making projects, Aung Clinic not only provides a more inclusive space for dialogue and expression for patients and their mental health but also documents the psychological landscape of Myanmar.

The third news article is written by Wen-Hsin Chang, a research assistant in the exhibition team at the National Museum of Taiwan History. Titled "Diasporic Memories in Taiwan: Life Journey of Tibetans in Exile," Chang shares how the museum collaborated with the Tibetan exile community in Taiwan to hold workshops to narrate their personal exile experiences and paths of migration, shedding light on the complex marginalization faced by Tibetans due to political sensitivity and how it has forced many to remain hidden in society.

The article "The 2023 Hong Kong Liberty Art Prize: Art and Human Rights Advocacy across Borders," written by curator Alric Lee, discusses how exhibitions are strategically leveraging resources in the Asia-Pacific region to promote human rights advocacy in the face of political pressure and the implementation of the National Security Law. Such regional cooperation has resulted in gained solidarity and support from many countries.

The fifth article, "The Cambodian Landmine Museum: One Mine, One Life," is authored by long-time museum supporter Bill Morse. After the long civil war in Cambodia, tens of thousands of landmines were left behind. The museum, born out of the self-initiated removal of these landmines, is now dedicated to clearing out landmines, providing related education, and opening village schools.