UN criticizes Japan for denial of WWII sex slaves
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A lawyer holds up a banner reading "unjust ruling" as supporters hold portraits of Chinese plaintiffs Hou Qiaolian (left) and Guo Xicui in front of the Supreme Court in Tokyo on April 27. The two Chinese women who were kidnapped and forced to provide sex for Japanese soldiers during World War II lost their case for compensation in Japan's top court.Xinhua |
The criticism by the UN Committee Against Torture comes after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set off a furor by saying there was no proof the government forced tens of thousands of women from Asia and elsewhere to work as sex slaves for front-line troops during World War II.
In a report issued on May 18, the UN committee condemned what it called efforts to cover up history and urged Japan to address the "discriminatory roots of sexual and gender-based violations" and improve rehabilitation for survivors.
