Petitie #255: Acknowledgement and reparation.

Petitie #255: Acknowledgement and reparation.

His Excellency Shinzo ABE
Prime Minister of Japan
The Hague, 9 February 2016
Petition: 255
Subject: Acknowledgement and reparation

Excellency,
It is a joy to see and hear the reaction from the former Dutch civil servants and Dutch military, who served on behalf of the Dutch East Indies government during the Japanese occupation of Dutch East Indies. The present Dutch Government acknowledged their sufferings and unjust treatment after the war ended. The formal apology and reinstatement of respect in addition to a substantial lump sum payment does wonders to these individuals. How sad is it that the so called deal between your Government and the Government of the Republic of Korea regarding Comfort Women does not enjoy the same enthusiasm by the surviving victims as these were not included in the discussions and do not accept the arrangements.

Prime Minister,
In the written answer to questions by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) the Japanese Government claimed that there was no evidence to prove that sex slavery was coerced. Forgetting that during World War II the system of comfort women was widespread in the by the Japanese military occupied territories. Based on overwhelming evidence the Dutch Military Batavia Tribunal concluded in 1947 without any doubt that Japanese officers and civilians recruited from concentration camps in the Dutch East Indies Dutch women and girls and forced them into prostitution for the pleasure of Japanese military and civilians. The evidence of coercion was then and is now still very clear and well documented. The accused were severely punished including the death penalty!

Prime Minister,
Regardless the San Francisco Peace Treaty the global opinion is that Japan committed war crimes and ultimately will have to admit these. The present “deal” between your government and the government of the Republic of Korea will not change that. The state of Japan has to acknowledge the facts that during the occupation of territories during World War II its military violated the The Hague convention of 1907 and is thus liable to apologize and pay reparation to the individual victims. The Human Rights principles of the United Nations and the international laws will be upheld!

We are looking forward to Japan’s acknowledgement and reparation.

On behalf of the Foundation of Japanese Honorary Debts.
J.F. van Wagtendonk
President