Former `comfort women' seek state aid<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Yogyakarta office of the Legal Aid Institute
\n(LBH) yesterday formally applied for state aid on behalf of some
\n17,000 people who suffered at the hands of the occupying Japanese
\nforces during World War II.<\/p>\n
LBH Yogyakarta Chairman Nur Ismanto met with officials of the
\nMinistry of Social Services to discuss the possibility of
\nobtaining assistance for these people, including a number of
\n"comfort women," women forced into prostitution, and forced
\nlaborers.<\/p>\n
The LBH two years ago offered to act in their behalf and
\npetition the Japanese government for compensation, but the effort
\nwaned after Tokyo stressed that all settlements had been made in
\n1958.<\/p>\n
The campaign in Indonesia began amidst signs that Japan was
\nsuccumbing to pressure from South Korea to compensate for the
\ncomfort women.<\/p>\n
Besides Yogyakarta, thousands of people who claim to be
\nvictims of Japanese brutality also turned up in North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
"The experience of South Koreans is apparently not the same.
\nThey were paid compensation because their government never
\nreceived war reparations like the Indonesian government did," Nur
\nIsmanto said recalling his talks with Japanese embassy officials.<\/p>\n
Nur Ismanto is now looking for possible assistance from the
\ngovernment, including housing.<\/p>\n
He said most of these people have not been able to lead a
\nnormal life after their brutal and traumatic experiences. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/former-comfort-women-seek-state-aid-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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