Foreign Women Lawyers’ Association Monthly Meeting (Tokyo)

Discussion Topic: Korean Comfort Women: The Pros and Cons of Using International Human Rights Law as an Advocacy Platform

The FWLA is honored to invite Dr. Etsuro Totsuka, Professor of International Human Rights Law at Ryukoku University’s School of Law, as our special guest speaker for our April 7th meeting. Dr. Totsuka will address the international and domestic legal issues arising in connection with, and his first hand experiences, defending the rights of the Comfort Women — namely, the women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II. Dr. Totsuka has been actively advocating on behalf of these women, mostly Korean, since 1992. He will share the challenges he has faced raising the issue at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the Japanese Government’s counter-argument and attitude, the United Nation’s jurisdiction over slavery, actions taken by the United Nations, the de facto impunity of responsible parties, the interpretation of the 1965 Korea-Japan Agreement in light of historical facts, and proposed legislative solutions by the National Diet. Dr. Totsuka will also share some of the success stories. Temple University School of Law, Japan Campus is offering one MCLE credit* to U.S. qualified attorneys attending this meeting. Please bring your state attorney ID number (if applicable) so that you can complete the necessary paperwork at the meeting.We hope you will be able to join us for this informative presentation and unique opportunity to meet Dr. Totsuka. Please invite your friends and colleagues to attend this meeting.FWLA meetings are open to the public. Everyone — men and women, lawyers and those interested in the law or simply the featured topic of discussion — are always welcome to attend our meetings so please invite your friends and colleagues to attend this timely presentation. Guests do not need to accompany a member.