UN Rights Expert Urges End to Migrant Discrimination in Japan
3 Comments
Japan has yet to adopt a comprehensive immigration policy that provides for the protection of migrants’ rights. This deplorable omission inHuman Rights policy has finally been addressed by the United Nations; what happens next will shed light on an issue rarely discussed in the west.
Japanese Migrants in Japan face discrimination, exploitation and a wide variety of other forms of mistreatment, an independent United Nations human rights expert recently stated, as he urged the Japanese Government to strengthen their protection. He also alluded to the atrociously high incidence of domestic violence against migrant women and their children
“They [migrants] still face a range of challenges, including racism and discrimination, exploitation, a tendency by the judiciary and police to ignore their rights, and the overall lack of a comprehensive immigration policy that incorporates human rights protection,” said Jorge A. Bustamante, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, at the end of a nine-day visit to Japan on Wednesday.
“Japan should establish institutionalized programmes designed to create the necessary conditions for the integration of migrants into Japanese society and the respect of their rights, including to work, health, housing and education, without discrimination,” Mr. Bustamante said.
“Racism and discrimination based on nationality are still too common in Japan, including in the workplace, in schools, in healthcare establishments and housing,” he added. Existing general provisions are not effective in protecting foreign residents from discrimination based on race and nationality, he said.
Mr. Bustamante expressed concern about the policy of detaining irregular migrants, including asylum-seekers, parents and children, for prolonged periods, in some cases for as long as three years, saying that practice amounted to a “de facto indefinite detention.”
Noting that a considerable number of migrant children in Japan do not attend school, Mr. Bustamante said that “governmental efforts should be increased to facilitate that foreign children study either in Japanese or foreign schools, and learn Japanese.”
The Special Rapporteur will later this year present to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council a complete report on his visit, with his observations and recommendations.
Comments
-
JanPen
I am a migrant from a non gazetted country. I work with a lot of migrants. Most have simulated visas, that is, they are married to a Japanese yet are living together with a different partner. There are some who, after getting a permanent status of residence or after getting a special visa leave their Japanese spouse and live independently. Their are some who brings fake/imitation goods and sell them here. Many drive without a proper Japanese drivers license. Someone claims monthly child support yet all her children are in her home country. Another fabricated a domestic violence story to get a divorce and claim child support from her husband. Somebody is waiting for the demise of her aged husband to be able to claim insurance and pension benefits.
Posted 2:34 pm on February 17, 2011
I think there is a deeper reason why migrants are being stereo-typed and getting negative attitudes from the locals. I hope somebody could view this discrimination issue from another perspective. Most Japanese are very gullible and some scheming migrants take advantage of them. This is a social issue as important as social/cultural discrimination. Unless these irregularities are exposed and acted upon, more migrants will suffer discrimination. -
JanPen
about “Noting that a considerable number of migrant children in Japan do not attend school, Mr. Bustamante said that “governmental efforts should be increased to facilitate that foreign children study either in Japanese or foreign schools, and learn Japanese.”:
In Japan, a child without a status of residence can enter school and the school, be it private or public, has no duty to report any irregularities concerning status of residence to the proper authorities. Compulsory and free elementary and junior high school education applies to all, without exception.
Posted 2:51 pm on February 17, 2011
An excellent article which highlights many of the deeper issues such as discrimination and almost unlimited detention without trial for many immigrants whose greatest crime is only to overstay their working visas. The consequences to their mental health are often very negative and detention resulting in the development of depression is not unusual. With a new and more liberal and humanitarian government now in place in Japan the visit and report to the U.N. is most timely and could present a good opportunity for real and lasting legislative protection for immigrants human rights.
Inochi no Denwa (Lifeline Telephone Service):
Japan: 0120-738-556
Tokyo: 3264 4343
http://www.find-j.jp/zenkoku.html
http://www.inochinodenwa.or.jp
AMDA International Medical Information Center:
http://amda-imic.com/
http://tokyocounseling.com/english/
http://tokyocounseling.com/jp/
http://www.counselingjapan.com
Posted 2:10 am on April 12, 2010