Okinawa in Summary of Stakeholders' submissions on Japan

The summary of Stakeholders' submissions on Japan for UPR Japan session is now open to public.

Among 73 paragraphs, issues related to Ryukyu/Okinawa are mentioned in 7 paragraphs, which are excerpted below.

Document by the Government of Japan is also open now.

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1. Cross cutting issues

Development, the environment, and business and human rights

19. JS7 observed a misuse or abuse of budget formulation authority and was concerned that the government budget plan for Fiscal Year 2017 had a substantial reduction of about 6% for Ryukyu/Okinawa's development, compared with the initial budget for Fiscal Year 2016.

2. Civil and Political Rights

Fundamental freedoms and the right to participate in public and political life

26. HRN was concerned about the attempted state control of media and journalism, that may impact its independence through suggestions that it could revoke licenses based on Article 4 of the Broadcast Act, which called on broadcasters to be politically neutral and not distort facts. It urged refraining from misapplying the Act and reviewing the Specially Designated Secrets Act “SDA”. JS2 noted interference and forcible removal of journalists reporting the protest activities in Henoko and Takae and recommended Japan to guarantee the independence of media and press freedom including through conducting human rights training for law enforcement officers. JS2 was concerned the Japanese police used oppressive and violent measures against protesters and encouraged Japan to ensure and guarantee the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression particularly in Okinawa.

3. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Right to health

41. JS2 and JS14 were concerned that the United States (U.S.) military bases continued to cause grave health, environmental and social problems in Okinawa including “noise pollution”, aircraft related accidents, and land contamination. JS14 urged Japan to: conduct a survey on the safety of residents; to take effective measures, including the creation of “clear zones” at Futenma to protect and remedy the damage inflicted upon the local people; to approve on-site inspections in third country bases and training areas by the local government and civil society; to enact legal amendments necessary to protect the right of local residents to access water sources free from contamination; to conduct full-scale investigation of possible consequences of water contamination caused by constructing Self- Defense Forces (SDF) bases in the Miyako Islands and to publicize all findings.

Right to education

43. ACSILs called for inclusion of references to the historical existence of Lew Chew as an independent nation in textbooks. JS7 and JS11 were concerned that education textbooks did not adequately reflect the history and culture of the Ryūkyūans, urging the government to provide appropriate opportunities to receive education in the language of Ryukyu/Okinawa. JS7 recommended establishing an independent mechanism to monitor contemporary forms of discrimination against the people of Ryukyu/Okinawa.

4. Rights of specific persons or groups

Women

47. JS12 noted that the number of U.S. military personnel in Okinawa was 68.4% of the total of the U.S. Forces in Japan. It was concerned that since the arrival of the Forces in 1945, sexual assault cases targeting women had not stopped and continued to threaten the safety of the women of Okinawa. It requested Japan to conduct a factual investigation and announce results on the exact measures taken by U.S. Forces in a transparent way, particularly those in Okinawa, similar to the reform made to the Bonn Agreement to allow the appropriate country's police to carry out a proper investigation on behalf of the victims of sexual assaults committed by American military personnel.

Minorities and indigenous peoples

60. AIPR, JS2, JS7 and JS11 were concerned Japan had neither recognized Ryukyuans as an indigenous people, nor taken measures to protect their traditional culture, history and language, JS2, JS7 and JS14 urged Japan to recognize the people of Ryukyu/Okinawa as indigenous people, and to take concrete measures to protect their rights to their traditional land and natural resources, ensuring respect for their right to engage in free, prior and informed consent in policies that affect them.

65. JS11 noted Japan voted in favor of adopting the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but did not recognize the unconditional right to self- determination. JS14 and ACSILs were concerned that the Government is constructing new bases and facilities for the U.S. military and its SDF, despite local opposition. The construction of this new air base in Henoko and “helipads” for MV-22 Osprey aircraft in Takae in northern Okinawa Island impacted both the people living in those areas and the biodiversity-rich environment. The construction could also jeopardize the northern part of Okinawa Island’s bid for UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage status. They recommended to stop immediately the construction and start the immediate demilitarization and decolonization of Lew Chew.

Hiroji Yamashiro: "The Fight Against US Bases on Okinawa"

Press Conference at the Foreign Correspondent's Club of Japan

Hiroji Yamashiro: "The Fight Against US Bases on Okinawa" (YouTube)

June 23, 2017

Media Coverage

In relations with the “Anti-Conspiracy” bill, the article mentions Mr. Kaye's concerns over "a worsening environment for freedom of expression" in Japan and Mr. Yamashiro's arbitrary arrest and detention in Okinawa.

NEW LAW SPARKS FEARS OF DOWNWARD SPIRAL IN CIVIC FREEDOMS
FRIDAY 7.7.2017 CIVICUS

Hiroji Yamashiro at a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting 20170615 (YouTube)

Summary of the UNHRC Side Event on "Freedom of Expression in Okinawa" (June 16, 2017)

IMADR wrote this summary of the UNHRC side event on "Freedom of Expression in Okinawa."

“Open space for protest must be created in Okinawa”, collective voice to Japan (16 June 2017)

Oral Statement by Hiroji Yamashiro (June 15, 2017)

 

Hiroji Yamashiro addressed infringements on Okinawans’ rights at UN Human Rights Council on 15 June. Here is his oral statement.

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Thank you Mr. President.

I am Hiroji Yamashiro. I lead the peaceful protest movement against human rights violations by the U.S. military bases in Okinawa, Japan.

The Governments of Japan and the U.S. are building military bases in Okinawa despite the strong opposition from Okinawan people.

Civilians are protesting the militarization everyday.

The Government of Japan dispatched large police forces in Okinawa to oppress and violently remove those civilians.

In the protest, I was arrested for a minor offence, followed by two retroactive arrests. I was detained for 5 months. I was not allowed to see anyone except lawyers. Not even my family. I was forced to confess and give up the protest activity. These are the clear human rights violations by the authorities.

However I and Okinawan people will never bow to oppression.

I demand the Government of Japan to stop human rights violations, and respect the Okinawan people’s will against the construction of new U.S. and Japanese military bases.

Thank you Mr. President

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Organisations1:
Franciscans International
International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
All Okinawa Council for Human Rights, NGO without consultative status, also shares the views expressed in this statement.

Geneva Side Event on Freedom of Expression in Okinawa (June 16)

The flyer for the Geneva side event on Freedom of Expression in Okinawa is out now.

The webcast will be streamed here: http://www.treatybodywebcast.org/treaty-body-webcast-ii/

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 By Kaoru Yamaguchi, Amnesty International Japan (19 May 2017, Kaoru Yamaguchi, Amnesty International Japan)

Freedom of Expression Under Siege in Okinawa: The Abe government has been particularly harsh on cracking down on dissent in Okinawa. By Taisuke Komatsu (June 06, 2017)

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)

Comments by the State is also available

A/HRC/35/22/Add.5
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression on his mission to Japan: comments by the State

Search "Japan" in the following page.

35th session of the Human Rights Council: Reports