Lola Fedencia David

Lola Fedencia David shown in photo with her daughter, Elisa. Taken in May 2000.

Fedencia , speaking at a solidarity reception for comfort women in Tokyo, Japan in 1998.

Fedencia(3^rd from left) leads the Quilt Parade of the LOLAS Kampanyera Organization held in January 31, 2001 at Quezon City, Philippines. Other comfort women Lolas join her in the display of hand made quilts depicting each Lola’s story of sex slavery by the Japanese military during WW II.

Fedencia (sitting in front, 3^rd from left) shown in photo with other Filipino comfort women survivors in the Philippines during the Lolas Christmas party in December 1999 organized by friends and supporters of the AWHRC, the Zonta Club of Makati-Paseo de Roxas and the Buhay Foundation for Women and the Girl Child.

CRY FOR JUSTICE

A FORUM On Remembering Lessons in History: WWII Atrocities by Japan (the comfort women sex slavery and the Nanjing China massacre)

ESCALER HALL,

Ateneo de Manila University,

3-5PM, FRIDAY JULY 25

Sponsored by ALIWW-ADMU

In partnership with: Lolas Kampanyera WW II Filipino “Comfort Women” Survivors Organization, Asian Wonen Human Rights Council (AWHRC) and the Buhay Foundation for Women and the Girl Child-Philippines

Last Friday, July 25th, at the Ateneo de Manila University, the students took some time out of their busy schedules to attend the Forum called "Cry for Justice." Some 80-100 students, faculty and others came to hear presentations about the shameful history of World War II atrocities that took place here in the Philippines and in other parts of Asia during WW II.

This event was sponsored by the ALIWW (Ateneo Library For Women's Writings) and its executive director Ms. Rica Bolipata-Santos was there to greet the people in attendance. The afternoon also heard from Ms. Nelia Sancho, the National Coordinator of the Lolas Kampanyera Survivors organization who provided a slide show presentation which informed us about the history and background of the phenomenon called the Japanese military sexual slavery or the comfort women system, as well as the current situation for the Filipino elderly women survivors called the Lolas and the Japanese government's current stance towards them. Ms. Sancho also took some time to launch the newest book of testimonies from Lolas who survived the ordeal of being sex slaves of the Japanese military during WW II. The book is called 'Justice with Healing (Anthology of Stories of Former Sex Slaves in the Philippines)', which is available through ALIWW or the office of the Lolas Kampanyera Survivors Organization.

Other forum panelists were Canadian teacher, Mr. Greg van Vugt, who spoke about his recent trip to China and South Korea where a group of Canadian teachers were exposed to the history of World War II. The group of 32 teachers was sponsored by Canada ALPHA (Association of Learning and Preservation of WW II History in the Asia Pacific) which arranged for the teachers to visit monuments, historic sights, and to meet with survivors of horrific actions during that war. The most touching for Mr. van Vugt of his history education tour was meeting with the former sex slaves in Shanghai, Nanjing and Seoul. He shared some of their stories.

Most importantly the forum heard from the Lolas themselves. First to speak was Lola Fedencia David, 80, of Dasol, Pangasinan, who gave her personal testimony of what happened to her during that sad and tragic time in Philippine History. She was 14 years old when the Japanese forces forcibly abducted her and brought to the Japanese garrison to serve as a sex slave for the soldiers. She gave a passionate talk and many in the audience were visibily moved.

She reminded us of our responsibility to hold the Japanese government accountable for their past actions. Next, Rep. Liza Maza , of the Gabriela Women Partylist spoke about the current House resolution (HRN 124) on the "Comfort Women" issue, which she co-authored. It is asking for an official apology and legal redress from the Japanese government. The resolution is similar to the motions recently passed in the USA and in Canada in support of the comfort women victims cry for justice.

The final appeal was given by Lola Lety Guinto of the Lolas Kampanyera for the passage of HRN 124 in the Philippine House of Representatives and the draft Post War Compensation Bill for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Coercion in WW II now pending in the Japanese Diet. Finally, Ms. Mariquit Soriano, of Buhay Foundation for Women and the Girl Child, who moderated the afternoon announced that the special movie screening of “Iris Cheng’s Rape of Nanking” was to be reset to another date because of the limited time left for the Forum. The co sponsoring organizations of ALIWW – the Lolas Kampanyera Survivors Organization, the Buhay Foundation for Women and the Girl Child as well as the Asian Women Human Rights Council thanked ALIWW for holding the Forum to listen to the Lolas testimonies and providing space for discussion of historical lessons and events in World War which impacted on the Filipino women.

We hope that the students and faculty of Ateneo University will take the words and stories of the Lolas to heart and work for Justice in our time.

THE JAPAN DIET BILL REINTRODUCTION ON JUNE 10

Promotion of Resolution for Issues concerning Victims of Wartime Sexual Coercion Act (Bill)

(Objectives)
Article 1:

In view of the fact that prior to and during World War II, with the involvement of the Impreial Japanese Army and Navy, organized and prolonged coercion of sexual acts were carried out against women and, because of such coercion, the dignity and honor of the women were severely violated and considering that it is the imperative task for the nation of Japan , under its responsibility to take quick steps to restore the honor of the women, the objectives of this Act lie in providing the necessary fundamental grounds for the resolution of the issues concerning the victims of wartime sexual coercion and, by doing so, in improving the trustworthy relationship between the peoples of the concerned nations and our people and in making it possible for our country to occupy an honored place in international society.

(Definitions)
Article 2:

In this act "wartime sexual coercion" means the act of organized and prolonged sexual coercion of women, who were recruited against their will with direct or indirect involvement of the imperial army and navy before and during the past World War, as well as the series of military actions including incidents prior to it.

In this act, "victims of wartime sexual coercion" are the women who have suffered from sexual coercion during the wartime and are not those who had a permanent domicile registered under Koseki-ho (Act no. 26 of the 3rd year of Taisho),

(Measures to Restore Honor)
Article 3:

The government must singularly express an apology for the violation of the honor and dignity of the victims of wartime sexual coercion and implement necessary measures to restore their honor as soon as possible.

The measures in the preceding paragraph shall include monetary payment to the victims of wartime sexual coercion.

(Fundamental Policies)
Article 4:

The government must estavlish fundamental policies on measures for the resolution of the issues concerning the victims of wartime sexual coercion ("the fundamental policies" hereafter).

The fundamental policies shall prescribe the following terms:

(1) The terms concerning the contents of the measures and the methods of their implementation as stated in the previous Article.

(2) The terms concerning the matters such as negotiations with the concerned states that would be necessary to implement the measures as stated in the previous Article.

(3) The terms concerning the investigation of yet to be uncovered circumstances of wartime sexual coercion and the damages caused by them.

(4) Other than the terms stated in these three paragraphs, the terms that are necessary for the acceleration of a resolution with regard to the victims of wartime sexual coercion.

(Care for Relationship with the Governments of the Concerned States)
Article 5:

In implementation of the measures as stated in Article 3, bearing in mind the relationship with the international treaties and other international agreements that our country has concluded, the government shall exercise special care for its process, in discussing the matters with the governments and other authorities of the concerned states , and securing their understanding and cooperation.

(Care for Human Rights of Victims of Wartime Sexual Coercion)
Article 6:

In implementation of the measures as stated in Article 3, the government, bearing in mind the intention of the victims of wartime sexual coercion, shall fully exercise care for their human rights.

In carrying out the investigation as stated in Article 4, Paragraph 2, (3), the government shall exercise care not to violate the honor of the victims of wartime sexual coercion and of other concerned individuals.

(People's Recognition and Understanding)
Article 7:

In implemetation of the measures as stated in Article 3, the government shall try to secure recognition of and understanding for the measures among the general public.

(Measures including Budget)
Article 8:

The government shall secure the budgetary, legal or other measures that are necessary for the promotion of a resolution of the issues concerning the victims of wartime sexual coercion.

(Report to the Diet)
Article 9:

Every year, the government shall report to the Diet on the measures that it has implemented for the resolution of the issues concerning the victims of wartime sexual coercion and on the findings produced by the investigation as stated in Article 4, Paragraph 2, (3) and it shall also publicly announce the summary of the report.

(Council for Promotion of Resolution for Issues concerning Victims of Wartime Sexual Coercion)
Article 10:

The Council for Promotion of Resolution for Issues concerning Victims of Wartime Sexual Coercion (the "Council", herein after) shall be established at Naikakuhu (the Ministry of the Cabinet).

The Council has the following administrative functions:

(1) To outline the draft fundamental policies.
(2) To arrange the necessary coordination of the pertinent administrative institutions regarding measures to resolve issues concerning the victims of wartime sexual coercion.
(3) To promote the investigation in accordance with Article 4, Paragraph (3).
(4) Other than stated in the previous three sub-paragraphs, to examine the important matters regarding the promotion of the resolution of issues concerning the victims of wartime sexual coercion and to promote the implementation of pertinent measures relative to them.

The Council, when it considers it necessary to carry out the business within its mandate, may ask the heads of concerned administrative authorities and concerned local authorities to cooperate in the submission of documents, clarification of materials and so on.

The council, when it considers it necessary to carry out business within its mandate, may request the necessary cooperation of any persons other than those stated in the previous paragraph.

(Organization of the Council)
Article 11:

The Council consists of a President and Council Members.
The Prime Minister shall appoint the President.
The Prime Minister shall appoint the Council Members from among the Chief Cabinet Minister, the heads of the pertinent administrative authorities and Ministers with the special mandate stipulated in Article 9, 1 of the Establishment of Cabinet Act.

(Committee for Promotion of the Investigation)
Article 12:

The Committee for Promotion of the Investigation shall be set up under the Council in order to authorize it to carry out the tasks stated in Article 10, 2 (3).

The Committee for Promotion of the Investigation, regularly or whenever necessary, shall formulate the progress of the investigation as well as its results in accordance with Article 4, Paragraph 2, (3) and report them to the President.

The Prime Minister shall appoint the members of the Committee for Promotion of the Investigation from among those staff of the pertinent administrative authorities with the appropriate knowledge, expertise and experience.

(Delegated Legislation by Ordinances)
Article 13:

In addition to what has been stated in the three previous articles, necessary mechanisms concerning the organization and management of the Council shall be legislated by ordinances.

Additional Clauses
(Omitted)


(Tentative Translation by Sen. Shoji Motooka's Office, March 2001)


Special Thanks to Mr. Ken Arimitsu for providing us with this document.

Open Letter for the Philippines from Amnesty International

Rep. Antonio V. Cuenco

Chairperson

Foreign Affairs

3/F Annex Building

House of Representatives

Quezon City

Dear Chairperson,

Open letter: House resolution 124 calling on the government of japan to apologize for the system of military sexual slavery before and during world war II

Amnesty International strongly urges you to bring House Resolution 124 to a re-vote and to encourage the required number of legislators to attend this vote to meet the necessary quorum before the June 13 recess. House Resolution 124 was unanimously passed by the Foreign Affairs Committee on 11 March. However, the initial vote failed to meet the necessary quorum and the Resolution has been referred back to the Foreign Affairs Committee for a re-vote.

House Resolution 124 calls on the Government of Japan to officially apologize and provide adequate compensation to the women forced into military sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army before and during World War II in what has been described as one of the largest cases of human trafficking in the 20^th Century. These women have been waiting for justice for over 60 years. The continued denial of justice prolongs the humiliation and suffering of the ‘comfort women’ survivors. Amnesty International considers this an on-going human rights violation.

Up to 200,000 women, including Filipino women, are believed to have been forced into sexual servitude by the Japanese Imperial Army before and during World War II. The Japanese Imperial Army targeted women and girls who, because of age, poverty, class, family status, education, nationally or ethnicity were most susceptible to being forced, at times through deception and entrapment, into the sexual slavery system. The vast majority of women enslaved were under the age of 20; some girls were as young as 12 when they were abducted. Survivors have suffered physical and mental-ill-health, isolation, shame and often extreme poverty as a result of their enslavement.

Parliaments around the world have passed similar resolutions calling for an official apology and compensation for the victims of Japan’s military sexual slavery system. The US House of Representatives passed House Resolution 121 in July 2007, calling on the Government of Japan to “formally acknowledge, apologize and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for its Imperial Armed Force’s coercion of young women into sexual slavery” during World War II.

In November 2007, three former ‘comfort women’ from the Philippines, South Korea and the Netherlands visited Europe to speak to Parliamentarians and urge them to call on Japan to officially apologize. After hearing their testimony, the Netherlands Parliament unanimously passed a resolution, which calls on Japan to “take full responsibility for the involvement of the Japanese army in the system of forced prostitution” and calls for compensation and an accurate account of the military sexual slavery system in teaching materials.

The European Parliament passed a resolution on 13 December 2007. It calls on the Government of Japan to, among other things, “implement effective administrative mechanisms to provide reparations to all surviving victims of the “comfort women” system and the families of its deceased victims” and calls for the Japanese Government to formally “acknowledge, apologize and accept historical and legal responsibility, in a clear and unequivocal manner, for its Imperial Armed Forces’ coercion of young women into sexual slavery”.

In Canada, Motion 291 was passed on 28 November 2007. This motion calls on the Government of Japan “to clearly and publicly refute any claims that the sexual enslavement and trafficking of the ‘comfort women’ for the Japanese Imperial Forces never occurred; to take full responsibility for the involvement of the Japanese Imperial Forces in the system of forced prostitution, including through a formal and sincere apology expressed in the Diet to all of those who were victims’ and to continue to address those affected in a spirit of reconciliation”.

Amnesty International welcomes House Resolution 124 in the Philippines as part of a growing international call for justice for the victims of Japan’s military sexual slavery system. The organization strongly urges you to take steps to put House Resolution 124 to a vote in the Foreign Affairs Committee with the necessary quorum as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Sam Zarifi

Director, Asia Pacific Programme

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

(Click here for the Source)