Amnesty lambasts Japan on rights treaty

By F.J. Khergamvala

TOKYO, DEC. 8. The head of the global human rights watch-dog body, Amnesty International called on Japan today to move beyond mere lip- service on human rights, both at home and in this part of Asia. Amnesty (AI) was particularly harsh on Japan not yet signing the treaty setting up the International Criminal Court.

Mr. Pierre Sane, the Secretary-General of the London based body, told foreign correspondents here, ``We have met senior officials here in Tokyo, but get no clear answer (on signing the treaty setting up the International Criminal Court) except that it is not consistent with domestic law.'' Mr. Sane added that Japan's reluctance to sign the treaty is morally inconsistent with the positions of 100 countries and certainly inconsistent with its ambition to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. ``Only one other country has refused to sign, that is the U.S.,'' he added.

The treaty, which only 20 nations have ratified, as against the minimum requirement of 60 for it to go into effect, has a sanctions deadline for December 31 this year. Mr. Sane questioned Japan's explanation, arguing that ``of course, it is inconsistent with domestic legislation. It is inconsistent with many countries' legislation, but when any international treaty is signed, that is what governments are expected to do,'' he said, to enact fresh legislation or modify existing laws.

Mr. Sane was speaking on the occasion of the launch of a global ``Campaign against Torture of Children.'' Beginning a 14- month long awareness blitz, AI released material documented with pictures and anecdotal details in a book called ``Hidden Scandal, Secret Shame.'' It draws attention to children being enlisted in domestic conflict, being specifically targeted to create an atmosphere of terror and is scathing about conditions in many countries.

AI's documentation on ``Japan: No advance on human rights'' drew a considerable amount of questioning from the media. The death penalty, the secret execution of prisoners, the great reluctance to provide a haven to refugees and asylum-seekers and Japan's encouragement of the military junta in Myanmar came in for special attention. The report was drafted with substantial input from Dr. Rajiv C. Narayan, now a researcher of the East Asia Team as well as the Tokyo crew of Mr. Mitsuhiro Wada, both of whom answered several questions on events long verified independently by journalists.

Mr. Sane asked Japan to re-introduce a 1989-1992 moratorium on the death penalty, before abolishing it, adding that the moratorium was lifted at a time when the public was particularly exercised over a crime and so nobody questioned the logic of calling off the moratorium. ``Executions in Japan tend to take place in December, when the Diet is not in session, so we decided to come here and make as much noise as possible.'' The November 30 execution of three prisoners and Japan's abhorrent practice of executing people without informing relatives ``is an affront to the dignity of the human being,'' said AI. Every Minister feels he is leaving office without doing his own quota, said Mr Sane, in a reference to the recent Cabinet reshuffle which was announced a week after the executions.

Amnesty has also questioned how the former Peruvian leader, Mr. Alberto Fujimori found long-term sanctuary in Japan so rapidly, whereas genuine cases of asylum-seekers were subjected to great distress like detention in ``landing prevention facilities.'' Between 1994 and 1997, only one out of 516 asylum- seekers was granted refugee status. Mr. Sane said if a trial of Mr. Fujimori begins, either in Peru or in Japan, Amnesty will not directly testify but will provide to prosecutors its very detailed archives of human rights abuses in Peru during the 10 years under Mr Fujimori. The new Government of Peru has just issued a subpoena for Mr. Fujimori to return, failing which it will seek extradition.

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Section  : International
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