DILI, 19 February 2025 (TATOLI) – Marking 83 years since Japan invaded Timor-Leste, the Association for Law, Human Rights and Justice (HAK) is going to organize a peace walk on Thursday (20/02), demanding Japan apologize for its invasion of Timor-Leste, which took place between 1942 and 1945 during the World War II.
The peace march will start from Lighthouse to Lecidere in Dili, aiming to demand apology and compensation from Japan for forcing Timorese ‘comfort women’.
During the Japanese invasion of Timor-Leste, many local women were forced into sexual slavery.
In a Wednesday morning press conference, HAK spokeswoman Marina Galucho said that the war crimes committed against the Timorese people by Japanese soldiers were cruel.
“Dili was the first place to witness the suffering of the Timorese people, especially women, who were victims of a war they knew nothing about. Japanese troops forced Timorese women and girls into sexual enslavement for Japanese soldiers,” said Galucho.
She pointed out that around 12,000 Timorese people were forced to work, building roads and providing food for the Japanese soldiers.
“HAK called on Japan to apologize for the military sexual slavery committed by Japanese soldiers before and during World War II,” according to Galucho.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
