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The Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women

Tokyo Tribunal – Women as Victims of International War Crimes – 2004

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Category:

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Sub-Category:

Sub-Category: GENERAL

Resolution Number:

400.10.20

Club:

Cambridge

Province:

Ontario

Year:

2004

Status:

Archived

Background:

Comments:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that BPW Canada urges the Government of Canada in general and in particular through its Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and through Canada�s representatives to the United Nations, to insist that the Government of Japan fully meet its obligations as defined by the Judgment of the Tokyo Tribunal.FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that BPW Canada urges the Government of Canada in general, and in particular through its Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and through Canada�s representatives to the United Nations, to insist that the Government of Japan implement without delay and give as a first priority the implementation of the Recommendations section from the Tokyo Tribunal Judgment to include articles 146 through 148 inclusive, as follows:Recommendation 146146. To fulfill its responsibility, the Tribunal holds that the government of Japan must provide each of the following remedial measures:i. Acknowledge fully its responsibility and liability for the establishment of the �comfort system�, and that this system was in violation of international law.ii. Issue a full and frank apology, taking legal responsibility and giving guarantees of non-repetition.iii. Compensate the victims and survivors and those entitled to recover as a result of the violations declared herein through the government and in amounts adequate to redress the harm and deter its future occurrence.iv. Establish a mechanism for the thorough investigation into the system of military sexual slavery, for public access and historical preservation of the materials.v. Consider, in consultation with the survivors, the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will create an historical record of the gender-based crimes committed during the war, transition, and occupation.vi. Recognize and honour the victims and survivors through the creation of memorials and a museum and library dedicated to their memory and the promise of �never again.�vii. Sponsor both formal and informal educational initiatives, including meaningful inclusion in textbooks at all levels and support for scholars and writers, to ensure the education of the population and, particularly, the youth and future generations concerning the violations committed and the harm suffered.viii. Support training in the relation between the military slave system and gender inequality and the prerequisites for realizing gender equality and respect for the equality of all the peoples of the region.ix. Repatriate survivors who wish to be repatriated.x.Disclose all documents or other material in its possession with regard to the comfort stations”.xi. Identify and punish principal perpetrators involved in the establishment and recruitment of the “comfort stations”.xii. Locate and return the remains of the deceased upon the requests of family members or close associates.Recommendation 147147. The Tribunal further recommends that the former Allied nations:i. Immediately declassify all military and governmental records concerning the establishment and operation of the �comfort� system and the reasons why it was not prosecuted before IMTFE. ii. Immediately declassify all military and governmental records concerning the failure to prosecute the Emperor HIROHITO before the IMTFE.iii. Acknowledge its own failures to investigate and prosecute the crimes committed against the former �comfort women� initially in the post war trials and since in the intervening 55 years.Recommendation 148148. The Tribunal further recommends that the United Nations and all the states thereof:i. Take all steps necessary to ensure that the government of Japan provides full reparations to the victims and survivors and those entitled to recover on account of the violations committed against them.ii. Seek an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice as to the illegality and continuing liability of the government of Japan in regards to the former”�comfort stations”.”

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Article ID: 12900