• 2026-04-30

The 2026 “Francophonie Month” series officially opened on the evening of March 27 at the National Central Library. The opening screening featured the Haitian documentary The Reign of Impunity (Le Règne de l’impunité), a work of profound contemporary relevance and human rights significance. The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Taiwan and the National Central Library.

The screening was co-hosted by Acting Director-General of the National Central Library, Dr. Chih-tsung Weng, and Ambassador of Haiti, H.E. Roudy Stanley Penn. Distinguished guests in attendance included H.E. Dr. Robert Kennedy Lewis, Ambassador of Saint Lucia and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; H.E. Katherine Vanessa Meighan, Ambassador of Belize; H.E. Kenton X. Chance, Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and his spouse; as well as representatives from various sectors, including Mr. Chia-ching Cheng, President of the Chinese-French-Belgian-Swiss Economic and Cultural Association. Together, they witnessed this dialogue of shared values that transcended geography and language.

In his remarks, Acting Director-General Weng reflected on the growing cultural exchanges between the National Central Library and the Embassy of Haiti in recent years. These included the meaningful bilateral book donation ceremony between the National Central Library of Taiwan and the National Central Library of Haiti in November 2023, as well as a keynote lecture delivered by the Director of Haiti’s  National Library titled “Books as Shapers of Humanity in a World of Crisis.” Weng noted, “This work is not merely a visual record, but a profound inquiry into democratic values, institutional flaws, and collective responsibility.”

H.E. Ambassador Penn approached the discussion from linguistic and philosophical perspectives, emphasizing that the French language is not merely a tool for communication, but also “a community of shared values.” He remarked that while The Reign of Impunity is rooted in Haiti’s unique historical context, its core concerns—the rule of law, truth, and justice—are challenges that contemporary societies around the world must confront together. The ambassador added emotionally, “Film is a call to collective consciousness. It reminds us that culture is not only of aesthetic value, but also a vital force for social transformation.”

The documentary is directed by renowned Haitian filmmaker Arnold Antonin. With a rigorous structure and sharp narrative style, the film weaves together firsthand testimonies from victims, analytical insights from legal experts, and rare archival footage, gradually exposing Haiti’s long-standing system of impunity. It not only documents past human rights violations, but also directly confronts the fragility of the judicial system and the collective absence of institutional accountability.

The film prompted deep reflection among viewers: when a society lacks effective legal prosecution and truth-seeking mechanisms, how can a nation bear the weight of justice?

As the film follows victims’ determined pursuit of truth, audiences were led to reconsider the indispensable roles of “justice” and “memory” in the process of democratic development. This event, blending intellectual depth with emotional resonance, not only strengthened cultural ties between Haiti and Taiwan, but also marked a meaningful and impactful conclusion to the 2026  Francophonie Month.