The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday welcomed the government’s openness and response to the findings and recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in relation to the grievances of the Malaya Lolas, a non-profit organization that provides support to survivors of sexual slavery during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during the World War II.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged the “grave atrocities endured by the brave Filipino women during the wars of the 20th century.”
Underscoring that his administration «upholds the primacy of human rights and values the well-being of all Filipino women and girls,” the President announced that government agencies were already crafting a comprehensive response to the UN women’s rights committee.
CHR Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa, the focal commissioner for Gender and Development, expressed optimism that the reparation being sought by the victims would be fulfilled immediately,
“I am elated by the marching orders of President Marcos Jr. as it augurs well with our country’s commitment to protect, promote, and uphold human rights. As a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we are hopeful that the government will adhere to its obligation to uphold the right to remedy and reparations of the victims of sexual slavery, which is a gross violation of human rights,” Dumarpa said.
“In line with international standards and basic principles, we also remind that the reparations and remedy must be adequate, effective, and prompt to truly promote justice, peace, and genuine healing,» she added.
Last March, the UN CEDAW found that the Philippines violated the rights of sexual slavery victims perpetrated by the Japanese Army during the World War II” and that the government has failed to «provide reparation, social support, and recognition commensurate with the harm suffered» by the so-called comfort women.
The CHR as the country’s independent national human rights institution urged the government to seriously consider and act on the recommendations of the Committee.
It noted the P10,000 cash aid provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to at least 20 survivors in Pampanga, the first time they had been given a cash compensation.
“As the government is poised to take necessary actions, CHR reminds the standards for measures to ensure genuine remedy and reparation. It must include restitution or restoration of the victim’s dignity; compensation for both economic and moral damages; rehabilitation, which may include medical and psychological care as well as social and legal services; and, satisfaction or cessation of continuing violations,” the CHR said.
“In accordance with these standards and the principles of transitional justice, CHR reiterates our recommendation to include seeking an apology from the Japanese government to fully recognize the harm done and reinstating the comfort women statue that once stood in Manila Bay to memorialize and pay tribute to the bravery and struggles of the Filipina «comfort women» and to remind of the abominable atrocities of war,” it added.
Long overdue is an understatement to describe the several decades of waiting for full reparation and remedy for the Filipina comfort women with many of them carrying the wounds to their old age and some to their grave.