NOTE TO NEW MINISTER: Stand up against injustice to Japanese "comfort women"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOTE TO NEW MINISTER: STAND UP AGAINST INJUSTICE
NDP re-states demands for an apology for the “comfort women” of WWII

OTTAWA – NDP critic for Human Rights Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) wants the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Bernier to start his mandate by addressing the injustice committed against the “comfort women” of China, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines, and urge the Japanese government to issue a formal apology to them.

“Bernier has to take up this issue and act immediately,” said Marston. “Sadly, his predecessor did not fulfil Canada’s obligation to stand up and demand a proper apology as well as financial compensation for the years of sexual abuse and torture those women endured. They have waited too long – it’s time the Conservatives address this issue instead of ignoring it.”

At least 200,000 women were lured from their homes and forced to work as prostitutes for the Japanese military during WWII. Japan has never issued a formal apology nor provided official redress to the women.

“Since early spring, I have been working very hard on the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development, petitioning Harper to urge the Japanese government to officially recognize and apologize for this situation,” said Marston.

On March 23rd 2007, a motion was submitted by the NDP calling on the Foreign Affairs Committee to recommend that Canada call for an official apology and redress. The motion was referred back for further study but nothing has come out of it.

“By not addressing this issue, we are denying history and therefore denying justice,” stated Marston. “Harper should have moved on this issue a long time ago, and the NDP will persist in order to obtain an apology for this grave injustice. We hope that Bernier will do the right thing and make this a top priority when he starts his new job.”

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