tag:www.imadr.org,2008:/justice//36 2007-12-07T08:43:28Z Movable Type 3.33 tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/justice//36.570 2007-11-14T02:01:14Z 2007-12-07T08:43:28Z

In 2006, CERD issued General Recommendat...

In 2006, CERD issued General Recommendation 31 (GR31) entitled “On the Prevention of Racial Discrimination in the Administration and Functioning of the Criminal Justice System.” This document acknowledges the ubiquity of racism, stating that “no country is free from racial discrimination in the administration and functioning of the criminal justice system,” and points out that racism in the administration of justice has increased over the past several years, “partly as a result of the rise in immigration and population movements… and partly as a result of security policies and anti-terrorism measures adopted by many States, which among other things have encouraged the emergence of anti-Arab or anti-Muslim feelings, or, as a reaction anti-Semitic feelings.” The document offers governments concrete recommendations for the elimination of racism in the administration of justice including suggestions for gauging the existence and extent of racism; strategies for preventing racial discrimination, such as better education and proper representation of people of color in the police and the justice system; and proposals for making the law more accessible to all. The recommendations also make very specific procedural suggestions regarding arrest, detention, questioning, and trial. In October 2006, IMADR’s Latin America Base invited CERD President Dr. Regis de Gouttes to hold a public discussion on GR31 and its implications in the Argentine context. Organized in concert with the Argentine Secretary of Human Rights in the Ministry of Justice, the event brought de Gouttes and several well-known professors of human rights into direct discussion with each other, and with the public, including several representatives from Argentina’s indigenous communities. Discussions such as these result not only in potential improvements to national and international policies but also in increased organization among local activist groups, and IMADR hopes to continue to build awareness of and encourage the practical use of GR31 in the future. tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/justice//36.426 2007-10-05T04:08:05Z 2008-04-08T09:15:31Z

IMADR recognizes that minorities are oft...

The Sayama Case In May 1963, Kazuo Ishikawa, a man of Buraku origin (a caste-like Japanese minority) from the town of Sayama, north of Tokyo, was convicted and sentenced to death for a murder he did not commit. After 32 years in prison, Ishikawa was released on probation in 1994. Since his conviction, three appeals for retrial have been submitted in an effort to clear his name. The first two appeals were rejected by the courts. The latest, filed on May 23, 2006, offers a rich body of new evidence supporting Ishikawa’s innocence. The Sayama Case highlights fundamental problems with the Japanese criminal justice system, and makes clear the persistent discriminatory stereotyping of Buraku people. On the heels of the third appeal, IMADR, in solidarity with the Buraku Liberation League and the Citizen’s Support Group for the Sayama Case, launched the Sayama International Solidarity Campaign to help lobby for change in the criminal justice system and fight anti-Buraku discrimination. Visit the Sayama Case website to learn more.]]> Injustice around the world Dalits in India are also accused of crimes they have not committed and some even die from torture. Roma throughout Europe are considered by police to be "dangerous" and are the victims of police violence. In many countries, such as the US, since 9.11, Muslims have also been treated the same way. Immigrants and asylum seekers are being marginalized by the authorities and society in general. In the meantime, those responsible for racism in the administration of justice are not being held to account. Around the world, the police are carrying out investigations on the basis of race, ethnicity and birthplace, and are not apprehended for these discriminatory actions. International society has put systems in place to prevent this from happening, and racism in the administration of justice has been acknowledged as a global problem by the UN.]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/justice//36.374 2007-08-30T10:36:00Z 2007-11-14T02:05:50Z

In October 2006, IMADR’s Sayama International Solidarity Campaign Site was launched. The comprehensive website introduces the Sayama Case and aims to increase international awareness of Buraku discrimination, strengthen ties between organizations worldwide that are fighting racial discrimination in the administration of justice, and put international pressure on the Japanese government to change the way suspects are treated.

website, and signing the website’s online petition (external link).]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/justice//36.372 2007-08-10T10:32:36Z 2007-11-16T08:26:30Z

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