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Japans comfort women -Global comments at the UN – 14 March 2013

…Regarding the issue of “comfort women”, Mr. Okada said that it should not develop into a political and diplomatic issue. He expressed once again Japan’s regret, and said that Japan had set up a reparations fund….

 

…Japan had not treated honestly the recruitment of comfort women in World War II. China called on Japan to fully implement the recommendations it had accepted and apologize…

 

…It was deplorable that Japan rejected the recommendation to accept responsibility for Japan’s military sexual slavery system…

 

….The lack of anti-discrimination legislation on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity was one of the remaining challenges facing Japan…..

Image source ; http://queens-politics.com/tag/comfort-women/

Consideration of the Outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Japan

TAKASHI OKADA, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that Japan had been making an active contribution to the activities of the Council since its establishment, and stressed that it saw the Universal Periodic Review as a vital mechanism to review the human right situation of all United Nations Member States through dialogue and cooperation. The Constitution of Japan was based on the fundamental principles of the sovereignty of its people and respect for human rights. Japan had developed a democratic political system and implemented a policy which promoted and protected human rights and fundamental freedoms as universal values. Out of the 174 recommendations it had received, Japan had agreed to follow up or partially follow up on 125 of them, including those promoting the protection of the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities, but was unable to accept 26 of the recommendations. Regarding the remaining 23 recommendations, Japan already had sufficient measures in place to address the issues raised by those. Increasing citizens’ awareness of the results of its Universal Periodic Review was important to Japan from a human rights education perspective. Mr. Okada said that Japan would continue to actively contribute as a member of the Council and would work to improve the human rights situation in the country.

Iran took note of the number of recommendations provided to Japan during its Universal Periodic Review and encouraged Japan to accelerate efforts to eliminate discrimination against children of ethnic minorities, non-Japanese nationality and children with disabilities.

Philippines welcomed the recognition by Japan that the issue of “comfort women” was a grave insult to the honour of a large number of women, many of whom were from the Philippines, and appreciated Japan’s apology. The Philippines awaited further action from Japan to overcome all legal impediments to the full ratification of the Palermo Protocol on trafficking in persons, and hoped that Japan would soon conclude its review of the legal implications of ratifying the Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families.

Republic of Korea said that it had raised concerns about the issue of “comfort women” but Japan had not taken sincere measures and had not accepted the recommendations made by the Republic of Korea. Japan should urgently take appropriate measures in that respect.

Republic of Moldova welcomed the efforts of Japan to improve its domestic human rights situation and contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights at the international level. The Republic of Moldova acknowledged Japan’s commitment to address domestic and sexual violence against women and the efforts to combat sexual exploitation of children, child pornography and prostitution and to protect the victims.

Algeria was pleased to note that Japan had accepted Algeria’s recommendations to increase efforts to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and to ensure greater political representation and participation of women in public life.

China expressed regret that Japan rejected some important recommendations and said that until now, Japan had not treated honestly the recruitment of comfort women in World War II. China called on Japan to fully implement the recommendations it had accepted and apologize. China had no objections to the adoption of the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review report of Japan.

Amnesty International welcomed Japan’s acceptance of the recommendation to establish a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles and regretted that it rejected the recommendation made by more than 20 States regarding the death penalty, including introducing a moratorium on executions with a view to full abolition. It was deplorable that Japan rejected the recommendation to accept responsibility for Japan’s military sexual slavery system.

Save the Children International appreciated the acceptance by Japan of recommendations relating to the ratification of the third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to the adoption of measures to protect the right to health of Fukushima residents. Japan should facilitate and encourage democratic deliberations to implement the act on the protection and support for the children and other victims of the TEPCO disaster.

International Lesbian and Gay Association appreciated that Japan had taken positive steps towards protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons by changing relevant policies. The lack of anti-discrimination legislation on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity was one of the remaining challenges facing Japan.

Reporters Without Borders International said that Japan, which could be proud about the freedom of press, had experienced a free fall in the ranking compiled by Reporters Without Borders, due to lack of information available about the accident at Fukushima. It was hoped that Japan would respect the right of its citizens to information.

International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism said that many of the recommendations from the first cycle of the Universal Periodic Review had not been implemented and Japan had failed to establish a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. The reality on the ground called for anti-discriminatory legislation, and a prohibition of discrimination on any grounds.

Human Rights Now urged Japan to implement the recommendation concerning the protection of the right to life and health of the people affected by the nuclear accident in Fukushima. The response of the Government was not sufficient and Japan should provide sufficient compensation and support for the relocation of people living in contaminated areas.

Japanese Association for the Right to Freedom of Speech said that during the consideration of its Universal Periodic Review report in October 2012, Japan had made a deceptive reply regarding the issue of political tract distribution. This type of detention violated the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

TAKASHI OKADA, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that the Universal Periodic Review was an extremely valuable mechanism. Japan was pleased by the great interest shown in its human rights situation by the delegations and civil society. Regarding the issue of “comfort women”, Mr. Okada said that it should not develop into a political and diplomatic issue. He expressed once again Japan’s regret, and said that Japan had set up a reparations fund. Concerning the death penalty, Japan did not think that it would be appropriate to abolish it. With regard to the Fukushima disaster, the Government had provided financial and medical support to Fukushima residents. Japan would spare no effort in making further improvements in its situation of human rights.

The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Japan.

http://www.ohchr.org/CH/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13142&LangID=E

May 17, 2013 - Posted by arclight2011 | Uncategorized