"National Coalition Rises to Defend Human Rights and Support H.Res.121"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2007
(Washington, DC) 121 Coalition, a national coalition representing nearly 200 civic organizations committed to defending the human rights of "Comfort Women" survivors, enthusiastically welcomes today's passage of H.Res.121 in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Michael Honda last January, has garnered the support of 149 bipartisan co-sponsors and today's vote is an indication that this historic resolution is headed for passage by the full House of Representatives.
“We commend the leadership of Chairman Tom Lantos for championing H.Res.121 before the full committee,” said Annabel Park, National Coordinator for the 121 Coalition. “We now respectfully ask Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer to schedule consideration of H.Res.121 on the House Floor as soon as possible.”
Members of the coalition feel that passage of H.Res.121 will send an important message to the Government of Japan that the remaining "Comfort Women" survivors deserve justice and the restoration of their fundamental dignity, and that truth, reconciliation, and stability in the region require Japan’s acknowledgment of historical responsibility for WWII-era policies.
From 1932 through the end of World War II, the Government of Japan organized the systematic trafficking, enslavement and brutal rape of 200,000 girls and women during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands. H.Res.121 calls on the Government of Japan to officially acknowledge and accept responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for organizing and maintaining this system of sexual slavery.
121 Coalition, comprised of human rights and pan-Asian civic organizations from across this nation, remains deeply committed and fundamentally united in our support for this important human rights and women's rights issue.
CONTACT:
Annabel Park, National Coordinator - (703) 944-9661/annabelpark@mac.com
Chejin Park, Greater New York Coordinator - (646) 417-3520/chejinpark@gmail.com
Daniel Lee, Los Angeles Coordinator – (310) 713-0089/dslee@leeohlaw.com
Evelina Galang, Florida Coordinator – (786) 385-6952/labanmgalola@yahoo.com
www.Support121.org
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