The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) is an international non-profit, non-governmental human rights organization devoted to eliminating discrimination and racism, forging international solidarity among discriminated minorities and advancing the international human rights system. Founded in 1988 by one of Japan's largest minorities, the Buraku people, IMADR has grown to be a global network of concerned individuals and minority groups with regional committees and partners in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. IMADR's International Secretariat is based in Japan and maintains a UN liaison office in Geneva. IMADR is in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
empowerment
To promote the capacity of discriminated groups to raise their voices and represent themselves in activities to combat discrimination.
solidarity
To promote cooperation and solidarity among discriminated people in ways that rise above regional, national and gender differences.
advocacy
To promote implementation of international human rights instruments through the voice and power of discriminated groups, and strengthen legal standards, institutions and organs for the elimination of discrimination and racism; to promote their effective use by the discriminated.
IMADR's primary focus is to combat racism, racial discrimination and multiple discrimination (in particular, discrimination based on both race and gender) as they cut across the following areas:
- Eliminating discrimination based on work and descent
- Eliminating exploitative migration & trafficking in women & children
- Upholding the rights of indigenous peoples
- Upholding the rights of minorities
- Eliminating racial discrimination in the administration of justice
- Strengthening international human rights protection mechanisms for the elimination of discrimination and racism, and promoting their effective use by the discriminated
grassroots empowerment
Together with local partner organizations, IMADR develops grassroots movements around the world. IMADR also builds links between minority communities to enhance solidarity and enable them to share their experiences and support each other's movements. The Buraku community (Japan) and Dalit community (India), both discriminated against on the basis on work and descent, work together by running day care centers for Dalit children.
changing perceptions
IMADR builds awareness that discrimination and racism are not just problems for minorities, but for society as a whole. In collaboration with other organizations, IMADR holds and participates in local, regional and international events, including the World Social Forum. These bring together grassroots activists to address racism and racial discrimination, both in local contexts and within the broader social and historical context of colonialism, neo-liberal globalization and the "War on Terror." IMADR has been instrumental in raising awareness of international instruments and mechanisms to combat discrimination (including the promotion of human rights education) by disseminating information and encouraging national and local groups to work together to use these instruments and mechanisms effectively.
action-oriented research
IMADR carries out research to support international and national advocacy, including, for example, a survey of the multiple discrimination faced by women in minority communities. In cooperation with NGOs and academic institutions, IMADR sponsors joint research/action projects on trafficking in women and children and exploitative migration. IMADR occasionally sends missions to investigate discrimination and strengthen solidarity among minority groups (e.g. to Slovakia in June 2005 to investigate the situation of the Roma minority). IMADR also monitors relevant UN bodies through its office in Geneva.
sharing information and experiences
IMADR is constantly developing its network to promote information sharing, with the aim of connecting and strengthening worldwide movements toward the elimination of racism and racial discrimination. IMADR's publications and website serve as basic networking tools.
campaigns
IMADR is one of the few NGOs that place special emphasis on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the only legally binding global instrument that comprehensively addresses racial discrimination. At the local level in Japan, IMADR is instrumental in campaigns calling for the effective use of ICERD and the establishment of anti-discrimination legislation and a national human rights institution. IMADR also campaigns for the elimination of racial discrimination in the administration of justice, through its support of the Sayama Case in Japan and on an international level.
advocacy
IMADR lobbies at UN meetings and major world conferences, linking grassroots minority groups with UN human rights bodies and mechanisms. As one of the few international human rights NGOs based outside the North Atlantic region, IMADR is viewed as an important support vehicle for many local and regional organizations. Through its regional committees and local partners, IMADR also advocates for the rights of discriminated groups at the local level, including for example, the rights of Argentina's migrant and indigenous communities, and Sri Lanka and India's discriminated communities in the wake of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. In Sri Lanka, IMADR works with local grassroots groups to uphold the rights of the country's ethnic and religious minorities in the peacebuilding process.
International Secretariat
3-5-11, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
tel: (81-3)3586-7447 fax: (81-3)3586-7462
e-mail: imadris[at]imadr.org
Geneva Office
150, route de Ferney, CP 2100
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
tel: (41-22)791-6263 fax: (41-22)791-6480
e-mail: imadrun[at]imadr.org
Asia Committee
19 1/1 Siri Dhamma Road, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
tel: (94-11)2682505/2672586 fax: (94-11)2682505
e-mail: imadr-ac[at]imadr.org
North America Committee
P.O. Box 1535, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, USA
e-mail: imadr-nac[at]imadr.org
Latin America Base
2727 Melincue, 1517 Buenos Aires, Argentina
tel/fax: (54-1)501-8813
Europe Contact
c/o mrap
43 Boulevard Magenta 75010 Paris, France
tel: (33-1) .53.38.99.99 fax: (33-1) 40.40.90.98
e-mail: mrap[at]mrap.asso.fr
Japan Committee
3-5-11, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
tel: (81-3)3568-7709 fax: (81-3)3586-7448
e-mail: imadrjc[at]imadr.org
>> Printable Map [PDF 137KB]
Address: 3-5-11, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3586-7447
From Roppongi 1-chome station (Nanboku Line): 5 minutes
Exit from Exit No.2. Make a left on the ground level. Turn right at the first intersection to cross the street. Walk past Asahi Roppongi Mansion on your right (a gas station is on your left). Walk straight for a minute and you will see ahead a three-story brown building. IMADR is located on the basement level. Use the entrance on the left-hand side of the building (not the main entrance).
From Roppongi station (Hibiya Line/Oedo Line): 7 minutes
Exit from Exit No.3. Turn right at the Roppongi intersection and walk straight towards the Tokyo Tower. Turn left at the third lights from the intersection where you will see on your left the signboard for "'AOBA ROPPONGI Building." Walk straight for a few minutes and you will see a three-story brown building on your left with the English signboard for IMADR. Walk down the slope on your left and you'll see the entrance to IMADR on your right.
(Permanent staff only)
| Yuriko Hara | Secretary-General |
| Megumi Komori | Under-Secretary-General |
| Setsuko Arai | Program Officer |
| Sumie Ogasawara | Program Officer |
| Michaela Told | Senior Advisor to Geneva Office |
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Remembrances, comments and thoughts about Atsuko Tanaka-Fox, her life and her work.
It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Atsuko Tanaka-Fox, IMADR Geneva Office Director and Permanent Representative to the UN. She passed away on Monday, August 27, 2007 at a hospital in Geneva, Switzerland. After battling cancer for several years, while carrying out her work with IMADR, she died peacefully in the arms of her husband, Graham Fox (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights). She was 36 years old.
Atsuko joined IMADR in 1994 and started working at its Geneva Office in April 1996. For over 11 years, she made tremendous contributions to IMADR's work, particularly in activities at the UN level. The IMADR Geneva Office would not be what it is today without her tireless efforts.
We all will miss Atsuko terribly, but know that she will always be with us in the fight against all forms of discrimination and racism. May she rest in eternal peace.
Below are messages from those who knew and loved Atsuko in remembrance of her life and work.
反差別国際運動（IMADR）の専従職員（事務局次長）であり、IMADRジュネーブ事務所ディレクター／国連代表である田中フォックス敦子さんが、2007年8月27日午後4時頃（日本時間の同日深夜11時頃）、スイス・ジュネーブの病院にて永眠されました。田中フォックス敦子さんは数年前に癌を患い、闘病生活をしながら仕事を続けていました。享年36歳でした。最期は、お連れ合いで国連人権高等弁務官事務所職員のグラハム・フォックスさんの腕の中で穏やかにお亡くなりになったということです。
田中フォックス敦子さんは、1994年に反差別国際運動日本委員会（IMADR-JC)の専従職員となり、1996年4月からジュネーブ事務所に勤務し、以後11年の間、IMADRの活動、とりわけ国連レベルにおけるとりくみに大きく貢献してきました。彼女の存在と献身的な貢献なくして、現在のIMADRジュネーブ事務所はありません。
田中フォックス敦子さんのご冥福を心よりお祈りするとともに、IMADRへの彼女の熱い期待を受け止めつつ、IMADR設立時からの目的を達成するために皆さんとともに尽力して参りたいと思います。
以下、生前におつきあいのあった方々からいただいた、田中フォックス敦子さんを偲ぶメッセージです。
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