PH recognizes sufferings of World War II ’comfort women’

This bronze statue dedicated to the comfort women of World War II used to be at Manila Baywalk. But it was removed in 2018 and returned to the studio of the artist Jonas Roces in Antipolo. (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines stressed that it is acknowledging the sufferings of World War II “comfort women” despite a United Nations (UN) body decision saying that the country failed to give the victims reparations, social support, and recognition.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) ruled that the Philippine government failed to provide reparations, social support, and recognition for the “comfort women” despite their clamor, hence violating the victims’ rights.

“The Government of the Philippines recognizes the suffering of female victims of atrocious violations that occurred during the Second World War. In this regard, we note that some reparations have been made and the Supreme Court has adjudicated on the matter,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

“The Government of the Philippines remains fully committed to women’s rights pursuant to its international human rights obligations and national laws and jurisprudence,” it added.

The PCO said they will study the panel’s views and submit a written response to CEDAW within six months.

The “comfort women” were victims of sexual slavery committed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

CEDAW’s decision is in response to a case brought by a group of Filipino comfort women in 2019.

The committee urges the Philippine government to “provide the victims full reparation, including recognition and redress, an official apology and material and moral damages.”

JPV