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Last thoughts for 2020:
The “comfort women” system was one of the largest state-sanctioned institutions of mass sexual violence.
75 years after the end of WWII, the survivors are still seeking a full and frank apology and redress from the Japanese government. 1/x
The “comfort women” system was one of the largest state-sanctioned institutions of mass sexual violence.
75 years after the end of WWII, the survivors are still seeking a full and frank apology and redress from the Japanese government. 1/x
None of the Japanese government’s statements have admitted the specific crimes committed across all of the countries.
The same vague & outdated words recur: “involved,” “dignity,” “honor,” “remorse.”
No Japanese official has apologized directly in front of survivors. 2/x
The same vague & outdated words recur: “involved,” “dignity,” “honor,” “remorse.”
No Japanese official has apologized directly in front of survivors. 2/x
The Japanese government politicizes the issue and refuses to admit specific facts.
These facts are necessary for any meaningful conversation about conflict-related sexual violence and the broad harm of impunity. 3/x
These facts are necessary for any meaningful conversation about conflict-related sexual violence and the broad harm of impunity. 3/x
From media coverage to legal processes to social stigmatization —
many fields need improvement in addressing sexual & gender-based violence before, during and after conflict.
This violence can be mitigated and prevented. But it thrives under impunity and gaslighting. 4/x
many fields need improvement in addressing sexual & gender-based violence before, during and after conflict.
This violence can be mitigated and prevented. But it thrives under impunity and gaslighting. 4/x
That is one reason that “comfort women” survivors broke the silence. To learn from the past & prevent its recurrence.
In doing so, they helped shape the human rights framework in which redress for subsequent & ongoing violence around the world is pursued today. 5/x
In doing so, they helped shape the human rights framework in which redress for subsequent & ongoing violence around the world is pursued today. 5/x
For the elderly survivors, coming forward was a fraught decision.
The Japanese govt’s denials and, in some cases, their own govt’s lack of support create ongoing emotional damage on top of lasting bodily harm.
Their endurance is a testament to their will to survive. 6/x
The Japanese govt’s denials and, in some cases, their own govt’s lack of support create ongoing emotional damage on top of lasting bodily harm.
Their endurance is a testament to their will to survive. 6/x
Only the survivors themselves should decide what form of apology, reparations and recognition is appropriate.
No government can decide or waive what these survivors should receive as a result of these egregious human rights violations. 7/x
No government can decide or waive what these survivors should receive as a result of these egregious human rights violations. 7/x
On Tues, Pian Huaying passed away in Shanxi at the age of 93.
She was one of the 19 remaining Chinese “comfort women” survivors.
There are 16 in S. Korea, 19 in the Philippines & many unknown others.
For 2021, we will keep honoring the survivors & victims thru our work. 8/8 https://twitter.com/SinoVoices/status/1344524050043953154
She was one of the 19 remaining Chinese “comfort women” survivors.
There are 16 in S. Korea, 19 in the Philippines & many unknown others.
For 2021, we will keep honoring the survivors & victims thru our work. 8/8 https://twitter.com/SinoVoices/status/1344524050043953154
*Correction: ~40 survivors in the Philippines.
