KNCC
美하원 일본군 성노예 결의안 121 채택을 위해 연대하여 주십시오
입력 : 2007-04-12 11:22:34 수정 :
이에 양성평등위원회는 美하원 일본군 성노예 결의안121 채택을 위해 KNCC권오성 총무, 유근숙 위원장 명의로 미국NCC에 연대협력 요청 공문을 발송했습니다.
*한국기독교교회협의회 양성평등위원회가 미국NCC에 보낸 연대협조공문입니다.
April 10, 2007
Rev. Robert Edgar
NCCC-USA
475 Riverside Drive
Room 880, New York
NY 10115-0050, USA
Dear Rev. Robert Edgar:
Subject: Solidarity and Support of House Resolution 121
On behalf of Korean churches, we are for this opportunity to greet you and NCCC-USA in the name of Jesus Christ. We send this letter to you who are working towards ending violence against women and realizing human rights for women.
31st of January this year, in the House of Representatives in the US, Congressman Mike Honda introduced House Resolution 121 regarding Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II; a time when the Japanese colonized the Asia Pacific region. This resolution demands the Japanese government to officially and unambiguously apologizes well as take historical responsibility for the sexual slavery of young women and girls known as "Comfort Women".
The suffering of the Asian and Dutch survivors of the "Comfort Women" system has yet to be healed. They wholeheartedly anticipate the passing of House Resolution 121 which will contribute greatly to realizing justice for their plight.
In order for House Resolution 121 to pass we ask for the NCCC-USA care and commitment and for this I write this letter to you.
The pain and suffering of the so called "Comfort Women"- estimated to be 200,000 in number - do not belong just to the victims themselves or to their countries. The damage done to them reflects the poor state of women’s human rights and thus this is a global women’s human rights issue.
For the last 60 years, the so called "Comfort Women" had to live with such pain and suffering buried in their hearts - all because they were coerced into sexual slavery. For these women, it has been too long. There is still no resolution to recognition of Japanese war crime and manipulation of historical teaching regarding their past.
There are scores of historical documents which prove that "Comfort Women" were recruited by force, and the international community has already accepted this as fact. However, the Japanese government including Prime Minister Abe is repeatedly stating or speculating that there was no coercion and by saying so trying to evade historical responsibility.
We ask the NCCC-USA to actively engage Congressmen and women in your areas in support of House Resolution 121; so that it can be put to the floor then successfully passed.
Further, we urge you to bring light to Japanese government’s inhumane handling of its war crimes by putting international pressure on them so that they will finally take responsibility. Japan’s acceptance of its wrongdoing in the past is not only an issue of ethical behavior in the international community, but it will facilitate positive diplomatic relationships between US and countries in the Asia Pacific region.
We do hope the passing of this resolution sends a message of hope to women around the world who work towards world peace. And again it is with hope we look forward to your show of solidarity. Let us continue in our endeavours, serving together in common witness for justice and peace in God’s name and for His service.
Yours sincerely,
Rev. Kwon Oh-sung
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in Korea
Rev. Yoo Keun-sook
Chair Person
Gender Justice Committee
National Council of Churches in Korea
