China's representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) said on Wednesday that Japan has a notorious history of atrocities, and that it must first atone for its past crimes before daring to lecture others on human rights.
At the 61st session of the UNHRC in Geneva, Switzerland, Wang Nian, the Chinese representative, strongly refuted erroneous remarks related to China made by Japan and a handful of other countries including Finland, Lithuania, and Australia, saying that these countries are abusing the platform of the UN Human Rights Council by continuously fabricating and spreading disinformation to attack and smear China.
"Countries like Japan, which presume to lecture others on their human rights situations, have in fact a notorious track record on human rights issues. Japan has shown no sign of reflecting on its historical crimes. Having once embarked on the path of militarism, it waged wars of aggression and committed grave crimes against humanity, inflicting immense suffering on regions and the world. Yet, Japan has shown not the slightest remorse. If Japan wishes to talk about human rights, it must first reflect on its own historical crimes," he said.
"The 'comfort women' issue remains a long-standing concern for the international community. Women from China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cambodia, and other countries who suffered sexual abuse during World War II have yet to receive justice. Japan has denied these victims their fundamental rights and dignity, maintaining an improper and dishonest attitude toward its history and atrocities. China urges Japan to engage in deep reflection and properly handle issues left over from history, including the 'comfort women' issue," Wang said.
"China urges Japan to confront the serious violations of women's and other human rights within its own country, to engage in genuine self-examination, and to acknowledge and correct its mistakes. Japan must immediately stop making unwarranted comments on the human rights conditions of other countries and cease its actions that undermine international human rights dialogue and cooperation," he said.
Japan must confront its historical crimes before lecturing others on human rights: Chinese envoy
