The European Parliament passed a motion late yesterday calling on the Japanese government to formally acknowledge, apologize and accept historical and legal responsibility for its Imperial Armed Forces’ coercion of young women into sexual slavery during the Second World War. 200,000 women were captured across Asia prior to the war and forced into sexual servitude, experiencing rape, beatings and mutilation on a regular basis.
Jean Lambert MEP developed the cross-party motion following a hearing in the European Parliament with some of the surviving so-called ‘comfort women’ last month.
Jean Lambert MEP said:
"62 years on the ‘comfort women’ are still waiting for justice, many having suffered a life blighted by physical and mental ill-health as well as isolation, shame and extreme poverty.
"With the signing of the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights this week and voting almost unanimously in favour of this motion on ‘comfort women’ there is wide consensus in the European Parliament that violations of human rights, under any circumstances, will not be tolerated. Where atrocities have taken place there must be full acknowledgement and responsibility for those actions to allow victims and their families to regain their dignity before the world.
"Knowing that justice can be done even after many years would send a strong signal of support to those currently experiencing violence and sexual abuse in conflict regions, such as Darfur, and those campaigning on their behalf."