We welcome the South
Korean Court’s historic ruling for resolution of the Japanese military “comfort
women” issue!
Seoul
Central District Court (Civil Chamber 34, presiding judge, Kim Jeong-gon) announced
its historic ruling today, recognizing the Japanese Government’s responsibilities
to make reparations to the Japanese military sexual slavery (“comfort women”)
victims.
This
ruling is not only consistent with the constitutional order of the Republic of
Korea, but also a pioneering lead in confirming the principle of human rights
under the international human rights law. Today’s ruling has opened a new
horizon for human rights protection that not only domestic courts but also
courts around the world can emulate. We sincerely welcome the South Korean
court's decision to fulfill its responsibilities as the "last bastion of
human rights" by listening to the desperate appeals of the victims.
Victims
have revealed the crimes of Japanese military sexual slavery through countless
public testimonies and have called for just resolution based on principles of
victim-centered approach, yet were shunned repeatedly. The Japanese Court dismissed
victim’s calls for justice, excusing the Japanese Government’s responsibilities
behind the 1965 Treaty. The victims were completely excluded in the so-called 2015
Korea-Japan agreement. Even after the 2015 Korea-Japan agreement, the Japanese
Government distorted historical facts and denied the Japanese military sexual
slavery itself. Further, the Japanese Government latches on its attempts to
erase the Japanese military “comfort women” issue through interfering with
establishment of Statue of Peace around the world, which is a symbol of women’s
human rights and peace.
As the
perpetrator constantly denies its crimes and other effective forms of remedy
are absent, the victims knocked on the door of the South Korean Court with a
desperation of last hope. The ruling is a South Korean Court's response that
did not to turn a blind eye to the victims’ final appeal. It is a clear
declaration that when one’s human rights are seriously violated as in the case
of Japanese military sexual slavery, the principles of human dignity, value,
right to access justice and universal human rights take precedence over the excuse
of state immunity.
Many of
the plaintiffs have passed away while the trial took place, and only five of
them survive today. We have no time to lose. The Japanese Government should
make reparations according to the ruling without delay. Furthermore, Japanese
Government should admit the Japanese military sexual slavery issue, which is
regarded as one of the gravest violations of human rights in the 20th century, apologize
and commemorate sincerely, investigate the truth, and educate history, to
fulfill its “legal responsibilities.”
We believe
today’s historic ruling will serve as a compass for just resolution of the
issue, and be respected again on January 13, with the Seoul Central District
Court (Civil Chamber 15, presiding judge, Min Seong-cheol) decision for another
lawsuit filed by victims.
January 8, 2021
The Korean Council for
Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan,
The Museum of Sexual
Slavery by Japanese Military (House of Sharing),
Research Network on
Japanese Military Sexual Slavery,
Tongyeong & Geoje
Civil Assembly for Japanese Military Sexual Slavery,
Masan, Changwon and
Jinhae Civil Assembly for Japanese Military Sexual Slaves,
Daegu Citizen’s Forum
for Halmuni,
Peace Butterfly Network
#Japanesemilitarysexualslavery #ButterflyFund #EndRapeInWar #KoreanCouncil #WednesdayDemonstration #Japan #JusticeforComfortWomen
We welcome the South Korean Court’s historic ruling for resolution of the Japanese military “comfort women” issue!
Seoul Central District Court (Civil Chamber 34, presiding judge, Kim Jeong-gon) announced its historic ruling today, recognizing the Japanese Government’s responsibilities to make reparations to the Japanese military sexual slavery (“comfort women”) victims.
This ruling is not only consistent with the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea, but also a pioneering lead in confirming the principle of human rights under the international human rights law. Today’s ruling has opened a new horizon for human rights protection that not only domestic courts but also courts around the world can emulate. We sincerely welcome the South Korean court's decision to fulfill its responsibilities as the "last bastion of human rights" by listening to the desperate appeals of the victims.
Victims have revealed the crimes of Japanese military sexual slavery through countless public testimonies and have called for just resolution based on principles of victim-centered approach, yet were shunned repeatedly. The Japanese Court dismissed victim’s calls for justice, excusing the Japanese Government’s responsibilities behind the 1965 Treaty. The victims were completely excluded in the so-called 2015 Korea-Japan agreement. Even after the 2015 Korea-Japan agreement, the Japanese Government distorted historical facts and denied the Japanese military sexual slavery itself. Further, the Japanese Government latches on its attempts to erase the Japanese military “comfort women” issue through interfering with establishment of Statue of Peace around the world, which is a symbol of women’s human rights and peace.
As the perpetrator constantly denies its crimes and other effective forms of remedy are absent, the victims knocked on the door of the South Korean Court with a desperation of last hope. The ruling is a South Korean Court's response that did not to turn a blind eye to the victims’ final appeal. It is a clear declaration that when one’s human rights are seriously violated as in the case of Japanese military sexual slavery, the principles of human dignity, value, right to access justice and universal human rights take precedence over the excuse of state immunity.
Many of the plaintiffs have passed away while the trial took place, and only five of them survive today. We have no time to lose. The Japanese Government should make reparations according to the ruling without delay. Furthermore, Japanese Government should admit the Japanese military sexual slavery issue, which is regarded as one of the gravest violations of human rights in the 20th century, apologize and commemorate sincerely, investigate the truth, and educate history, to fulfill its “legal responsibilities.”
We believe today’s historic ruling will serve as a compass for just resolution of the issue, and be respected again on January 13, with the Seoul Central District Court (Civil Chamber 15, presiding judge, Min Seong-cheol) decision for another lawsuit filed by victims.
January 8, 2021
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan,
The Museum of Sexual Slavery by Japanese Military (House of Sharing),
Research Network on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery,
Tongyeong & Geoje Civil Assembly for Japanese Military Sexual Slavery,
Masan, Changwon and Jinhae Civil Assembly for Japanese Military Sexual Slaves,
Daegu Citizen’s Forum for Halmuni,
Peace Butterfly Network
#Japanesemilitarysexualslavery #ButterflyFund #EndRapeInWar #KoreanCouncil #WednesdayDemonstration #Japan #JusticeforComfortWomen