European Parliament speaks out on sexual slavery during WWII

(Brussels, 14 December) Amnesty International welcomes the European Parliament’s adoption of a resolution on “Comfort Women” – the thousands of young women of different nationalities coerced into sexual slavery by the Japanese army during the second World War. This important resolution follows similar statements by the US Congress, and the Canadian and Dutch Parliaments. All call on the Japanese government to formally acknowledge its historical responsibility for this systematic abuse, as well as apologise to and compensate the victims. The resolution follows a lobby campaign by Amnesty International and survivors in Brussels last month.

Amnesty International urges the European Council and Commission to follow the European Parliament’s lead and use forthcoming meetings with the Japanese Government, including the next EU-Japan summit, to press for a proper response to this matter.