Side Event at UNHRC in June

We will have a side event at the UN Human Rights Council in June.

Side event at Geneva is a symposium on the status of human rights in Okinawa.

UN Special Rapporteur David Kaye, as the Keynote speaker, and Okinawa Peace Movement Center Chairman Hiroji Yamashiro will address infringements on freedom of expression in Okinawa.

Yamashiro to address infringements on Okinawans’ rights at UN Human Rights Council in June (May 30, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo)

A single person, a world of difference (19 May 2017, Kaoru Yamaguchi, Amnesty International Japan)

The All Okinawa Council on Human Rights is accepting donations to cover the costs and travel expenses related to this symposium. Contributions can be made online at the following URL: https://japangiving.jp/campaigns/5192 (in Japanese)

Written Information Submitted for UPR (November 2017)

We submitted 4 sets of written information for the Summary of the Human Rights Situation in Japan to be prepared by the United Nations Office of High
Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperation with international NGOs.

1. Human Rights Situation in Japan with specific focus on the right to self-determination of indigenous people of Ryukyu/Okinawa

2. Human Rights Situation in Japan With specific focus on human rights in Okinawa (freedom of expression)

3. Human Rights Situation in Japan With specific focus on women’s and children’s human rights in Okinawa

4. Human Rights Situation in Japan With specific-focus on human rights in Okinawa (environment)

Joint Report "Silencing the Voices of Okinawans"

We released a report “Silencing the voices of Okinawans” with the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR).

The joint report (3 February 2017) illustrates the systematic violation of freedom of expressions in Okinawa, addressing the following issues:

- The accelerating oppression on the protest activity;
- Riot police officer’s “Dojin” remark incident;
- Mainland media’s biased coverage of Okinawa;
- Issues related to human rights remedy system;
- The legal basis for a Yellow Line at the gates of U.S. military bases and its arbitrary application; and
- List of violence, detention and arrests in Henoko and Takae, Okinawa (2014-2017).

Joint Report "Silencing the Voices of Okinawans" (3 February 2017)

Joint Statement "Statement to Request the Release of Mr. Yamashiro Hiroji"

"Letter of Concern and Request: Inscription of Yanbaru Forest as a World Natural Heritage Site"

With Okinawa Environmental Justice Project and many other groups, we sent "Letter of Concern and Request: Inscription of Yanbaru Forest as a World Natural Heritage Site" to Ambassador Kennedy, Lt. Gen. Martinez, Lt. Gen. Nicholson, and Consul General Ehrendreich.

English　Map　Japanese　

Joint Report: Targeted attack on freedom of expression in Okinawa

This report was prepared by IMADR and AOCHR to provide additional information for the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression following his country visit in April 2016.

LINK: Joint Report: Targeted attack on freedom of expression in Okinawa


IMADR: International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism

AOCHR: All Okinawa Council for Human Rights)

Joint Oral Statement "Freedom of expression in Ryukyu/ Okinawa, Japan" (HRC33, 2016)

IMADR delivered the joint oral statement with Franciscans International, Human Rights Now as well as All Okinawa Council for Human Rights on “Freedom of expression in Ryukyu/ Okinawa, Japan” at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council.