tag:www.imadr.org,2008:/multi//30 2008-03-25T06:35:29Z 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 areas below. Movable Type 3.33 tag:www.imadr.org,2008:/multi//30.647 2008-03-25T06:23:49Z 2008-03-25T06:35:29Z

Doudou Diene, UN Special Rapporteur on R...

annual report (external link) to the UN Human Rights Council's 7th session, recognizing the activities of the Japan NGO Network for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as a positive development, and encouraging dialogue between the Government and civil society.]]> Statement on the Special Rapporteur's annual report for the HRC 7th session - Statement regarding the review of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Racism ]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/multi//30.586 2007-11-29T23:41:13Z 2008-02-14T03:09:04Z

tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/multi//30.349 2007-08-30T07:34:35Z 2008-04-03T03:17:53Z

On December 26, 2004, countless lives throughout Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Southern India were suddenly stolen away by a tsunami. While vast amounts of emergency aid came in from various foreign governments, international organizations and NGO groups, activists and grassroots movements were already involved in relief efforts on the ground, together with the affected communities.

On December 26, 2004, countless lives throughout Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Southern India were suddenly stolen away by a tsunami. While vast amounts of emergency aid came in from various foreign governments, international organizations and NGO groups, activists and grassroots movements were already involved in relief efforts on the ground, together with the affected communities. IMADR has worked from day one to gather relief funds to bolster partner organizations in Sri Lanka and India working to foster recovery. IMADR took into account three important issues in responding to the tsunami disaster: 1) The existence of socially marginalized peoples who are discriminated against in aid and recovery efforts. ２）That local groups working at the grassroots level are hindered in their efforts, and survivors are forced into becoming passive receivers. ３）The government and military are using recovery efforts as a chance to expand their sphere of military influence, and a large amount of money from the international community is not reaching its intended beneficiaries. It is because of these considerations that IMADR/IMADR-JC, although not a humanitarian aid or relief organization, decided to call for continuous support based on the following general guidelines: 1. To support aid and recovery efforts of local activists and grassroots groups; 2. To support those who are socially marginalized or discriminated against; 3. To focus on those who may not be receiving aid from the government or international groups because they are socially marginalized or discriminated against, and work towards necessary system reform; 4. To expand linkages of peoples and communities beyond borders, in order to ensure long-term aid to and the creation of movements by those affected; and 5. To collect donations both in Japan and internationally in order to act upon these guidelines. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the numerous individuals and groups who have responded to our calls for help. Because of your efforts, IMADR and its partner groups have been able to see real accomplishments. Synopses of reports from IMADR’s partner organizations carrying out aid and recovery efforts in Sri Lanka and India can be found below. Update from Sri Lanka: Nimalka Fernando, Chair, IMADR Asia Committee/IMADR President Working together with various grassroots groups, IMADR Asia Committee has been able to extend the following support to minorities affected by the tsunami (especially women), promoting the organization of those affected and women’s participation in the recovery process and community-building thereafter: · Aid aimed towards Tamil and Muslim women who were widowed either by war or the tsunami. This includes donations of clothing, repairing homes/construction of new homes, and providing jobs; · Donations of school uniforms and book bags, toys, and other educational materials; · Donations to nurseries and elementary schools, as well as supporting administration; · Procurement of daily necessities, ID’s, and certificates of death; and · Monitoring of the Sri Lankan government and its distribution of recovery aid. Update from India: Burnad Fatima Natesan, President, Society for Rural Education and Development/IMADR Director Concerned that Dalits affected by the tsunami have been excluded from the aid and recovery process, in nine areas of the province of Tamil Nadu, various efforts are underway, concentrating to a large part on the organization and participation of the Dalit women in the recovery process. This aid includes: · Donations of fishing boats and nets; · Rebuilding of damaged houses in Dalit villages, as well as donations of cows and sheep for agricultural use; and · Distribution of children’s school supplies. The future With the help from donations of things such as sewing machines, wheelbarrows, and sheep, women who lost their livelihood after the tsunami are slowly working their way back to where they used to be. Despite hardships, they are sending representatives from their community to participate in village decision-making, and are working towards improving their daily lives. In this way, IMADR has helped marginalized people make a stand, and it is this long-term result of organization of the movement that makes us understand the importance of international solidarity. At a time where the media’s interest in this cause is waning, instead of forgetting these people, we keep them in the forefront of our thoughts as we strive to continue to connect people and communities in solidarity. Maintaining interest in the struggle of those affected by the tsunami is a sign of encouragement for them. Help us in continuing to help people rebuild lives and provide sustainable conditions for the future.]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.348 2007-08-30T07:32:50Z 2007-11-16T09:19:25Z

Voices of protest can be heard when the governor of Tokyo and other government officials make discriminatory remarks, or when violence and threats are made against Korean children resident in Japan. There are people in Japan who experience discrimination on a daily basis, such as being refused entry to certain shops. It is becoming clear that many people, thrust into these situations, are powerless to do anything about it. Japan’s laws and its system do not come to their aid.

Voices of protest can be heard when the governor of Tokyo and other government officials make discriminatory remarks, or when violence and threats are made against Korean children resident in Japan. There are people in Japan who experience discrimination on a daily basis, such as being refused entry to certain shops. It is becoming clear that many people, thrust into these situations, are powerless to do anything about it. Japan’s laws and its system do not come to their aid. It’s a fact that one cannot always rely on the justice system, which costs a considerable amount of time, money, and effort to achieve results. Most situations require quick support from a national human rights institution - this kind of body has yet to be established in Japan. Since the 1990s, national human rights institutions, independent of their respective governments, have been established in many countries around the world. In 1993, the United Nations adopted the Paris Principles which created certain basic standards for national human rights institutions. The Human Rights Protection Bill, rejected in 2005, was commendable to a certain extend because of its provisions banning discrimination, but left a lot to be desired in terms of complying with the Paris Principles. It was not an independent body that could offer effective recourse to victims, and it was much criticized domestically. Since then, there has been no concrete move towards setting up a national human rights institution. Meanwhile, there continue to be laws and policies made that threaten the rights of minorities. Particularly after 9/11, the system has grown more and more hostile towards those considered “different,” trying to control and exclude them in the name of peace, security and the “War on Terror.” To give an example from recent years, the Ministry of Justice Immigration Bureau, has implemented a system by which foreigners overstaying their visas can be reported anonymously through the internet. Laws concerning entry procedures into Japan have also been subject to change (in May 2006). Being a foreigner alone is grounds enough to be under the scrutiny of Japan’s crime prevention unit as a potential criminal. These laws that attempt to regulate and/or exclude foreigners in Japan seek only to justify discrimination and should be considered very dangerous. Further, the actions of minorities and movements that oppose such discriminatory laws may be rendered criminal under the Conspiracy Bill currently under consideration. IMADR-JC works to oppose racism in government by urging the implementation of anti-discrimination and human rights protection laws and the abandonment of policies that are racist and discriminatory. Through joint actions with a broad coalition of minority individuals and groups, IMADR-JC works to give a voice to minorities on this issue both domestically and internationally. tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.347 2007-08-30T07:30:33Z 2007-11-16T05:48:51Z

Highlighting structural discrimination and oppression is an integral component of all of IMADR’s activities aimed at eliminating racism. This includes the often forgotten gender perspective, as a cross cutting issue which impacts upon all other themes. Being aware that minority women, in particular, suffer from multiple discrimination by virtue of their combined identities as minorities and as women, IMADR-JC is involved in various activities focused on addressing the issues faced specifically by indigenous Ainu, Buraku, Zainichi Korean (see note below) and Okinawan women.

Multiple Discrimination Against Minority Women Historically, discrimination based on gender, race and other forms have been seen as parallel but distinct forms of discrimination. But in recent years, the international community has come to recognise the fact that factors such as age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic status can compound discrimination based upon sex, forming further multiple barriers to women's empowerment and social advancement. In 2000, the United Nations convened an Expert Group Meeting on Gender and Racial Discrimination which produced a report on this topic. Further, in its General Recommendation XXV on Gender Related Dimensions of Racial Discrimination, the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination recognised that “racial discrimination does not always affect women and men equally or in the same way”, that certain forms of racial discrimination may be directed specifically towards women, and “that some forms of racial discrimination have a unique and specific impact on women”. As a result, the Committee recommended a more systematic and consistent approach to evaluating and monitoring the disadvantages, obstacles and difficulties women face. Conversely, in the same period, initiatives within Japan to address multiple discriminations have been almost non-existent. In 1999, IMADR-JC established a Minority Women’s Multiple Discrimination Network to grasp the current reality of and address the problems and forms of multiple discrimination faced by minority women, by raising awareness, carrying out research and studies, and facilitating networks. We held working group meetings to discuss and share the experiences of minority women, culminating in the publication of the book Minority Women Can Change the World! Multiple Discrimination Against Minority Women. These groups of minority women also raised, as a common issue, the lack of any data that reflected their situations, and the subsequent survey of minority women carried out by these groups was a direct product of these discussions. The Views of Minority Women - into Policy! Into Society!; Consideration of Japan’s Periodic Reports under the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (“CEDAW”) In July 2003, the Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (“CEDAW Committee”) considered Japan's fourth and fifth periodic reports on the implementation of the CEDAW. IMADR carried out various initiatives centered on this process, hoping to utilize it as a springboard to begin addressing the issues faced by minority women. At a minimum, it was felt that minority women needed to remind the Committee and the government of their existence, and the fact that they were yet to enjoy the spirit of the rights protected under CEDAW. Believing it important to work with other women’s organizations and movements, IMADR-JC was actively involved in the formation and facilitation of the Japan NGO Network for CEDAW (“JNNC”). Women involved in Japanese women’s movement were also able, through working together with minority women to lobby the UN and the Japanese government, to increase their understanding of the issues faced by minority women, with CEDAW providing an important opportunity to collaborate in respect of common issues. IMADR-JC drew up and submitted a preliminary NGO alternative report for the CEDAW Committee’s consideration, focusing on the situations of Buraku women, Zainichi Korean Women, Ainu women, women with disabilities and women’s shelters. IMADR-JC and Buraku and Ainu women also lobbied committee members directly, holding committee briefings and attending the CEDAW session where Japan’s report was considered. As a result, half of the Committee’s members made reference to the issue of minority women during the session. The Committee’s Concluding Comments, issued in August 2003 also highlight the lack of information in the government’s report regarding the situation of minority women, with the Committee expressing their concern over the multiple forms of discrimination and marginalization these women may face with respect to education, health, employment, social welfare and exposure to violence, both within their own communities and in the wider society. On this basis, the Committee called for the inclusion, in the government’s next report, of “comprehensive information, including disaggregated data on the situation of minority women”, especially in respect of the abovementioned areas. ]]> Minority Women Rise Up and Join Forces A Survey and Policy Proposals by Ainu, Buraku and Zainichi Korean Women This project had its beginnings in the desire by minority women to “carry out a survey that will assist in addressing our problems”, and, after being spurred on by the recommendations made by the CEDAW Committee, culminated in these women implementing the first ever survey on the situation of minority Ainu, Buraku and Zainichi Korean women. Carried out in 2004 and 2005, this survey was unique in that it was not only a study, but a social movement. Each of the abovementioned 3 groups, whilst implementing the survey in their own community by differing means, also collaborated in devising a set of common questions on education, employment, social welfare, health and exposure to violence. The Sapporo Branch of the Hokkaido Ainu Association, the Buraku Liberation League Headquarters’ Women’s Policy Division and the Apro Women’s Survey Project who implemented this survey also worked together with IMADR-JC to formulate policy proposals based upon the ultimate survey results. These proposals were presented to 7 governmental departments at a meeting in September 2007, where the government was urged to consider the proposed measures. It is also hoped that, by taking on the task of implementing a survey on the situation of minority women that was originally the duty of a less-than enthusiastic Japanese government, and compiling meaningful data on their own situations, minority women may be able to appeal to sympathetic sectors of the Japanese public and win their support for the measures necessary to address these issues. It is also hoped these activities will assist in raising awareness of the problems minority women face among the wider community. This data and the policy proposals arising from it will also form important information to place before the CEDAW Committee, to lobby them with and to form the basis of further concrete recommendations directed at the Japanese government, during their consideration of Japan’s sixth periodic report under CEDAW. Mobilisation and Activism by Minority Women Carrying out the abovementioned survey and the various opportunities it provided to network, meet others and speak out has been a process of empowerment for the minority women involved. As they have addressed common issues together, the foundations of the cooperative network they formed has also been strengthened, culminating in the first Minority Women's Forum, held in Sapporo in October of 2007, where women engaged in various other activities and forms of mobilization were able to come together to discuss the potential for further future collaborative activities, and what form these activities might take. The meeting was buoyed by the power of the 100 women who gathered from around the country to attend, and there were numerous proposals for future collaborative work among the minority women’s groups present, ending in the promise to hold a second and third forum, where these women could participate once again, together with the next generation. In the future, it is hoped we can broaden the membership base and build upon the existing network, whilst also increasing the opportunities for meaningful exchange of experiences with other minority women overseas who are also fighting discrimination, to foster international solidarity among minority women as they engage in anti-discrimination activities. NOTE: “Zainichi” is a Japanese word meaning “living/existing in Japan”. The term “Zainichi Korean” generally refers to people living in Japan who trace their roots to the Korean Peninsula, irrespective of their nationality, or recognize themselves as deriving from a family with origins on that peninsula. It is generally used to refer to those who have ended up living in Japan as a result of Japan’s history of colonial domination of Korea in the decades preceding 1945. ]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.346 2007-08-30T07:19:23Z 2007-11-28T06:43:25Z

Racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia do exist in Japan. The effects of these are felt by the Buraku people, the Ainu, the people of Okinawa, people from former Japanese colonies such as the Koreans, Chinese, and their descendants, other foreigners, and migrant workers who have come from all over Asia. All concerned actors, including the Japanese government, must acknowledge the existence of these groups, who have been rendered invisible, or whose existence has not been properly recognized.

Racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia do exist in Japan. The effects of these are felt by the Buraku people, the Ainu, the people of Okinawa, people from former Japanese colonies such as the Koreans, Chinese, and their descendants, other foreigners, and migrant workers who have come from all over Asia. All concerned actors, including the Japanese government, must acknowledge the existence of these groups, who have been rendered invisible, or whose existence has not been properly recognized. The state of discrimination that these groups face, including underlying social, economic, and political structures, as well as the history and distinct cultures of these groups, must be more deeply understood and appropriate measures taken. Without this, creating a multiethnic and multicultural society in Japan will not be possible. It is based on this understanding that IMADR’s Japan Committee (IMADR-JC), together with many organizations and individuals, and particularly minorities themselves, is taking part in advocacy and information dissemination activities. The Japan NGO Network for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ERD-Net) was established under the initiative of IMADR-JC with the above context in mind. It is centered on Japan’s minority groups and individuals, with the participation of groups and individuals who work for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, and colonialism. It is a broad network for actors to deepen their mutual understanding and awareness regarding the existence and history of minority groups who have been historically marginalized and made invisible, and the state of discrimination against them today. ERD-Net seeks to make effective use of international human rights mechanisms, and call for concrete measures through the abolishment or creation of legal systems. ERD-Net highly commends the Japan Mission Report created by the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance Doudou Diene (“Diene Report”), as the first UN document to address racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia in Japan in a comprehensive manner. ERD-Net aims for the implementation of the report’s recommendations in Japan by demanding this from the Japanese government, disseminating the report to the public, and using it as a springboard to further discuss and debate the issues. In February 2007, after the Japanese government issued a statement in response to the Diene Report, ERD-Net created a counter statement to present their views and submitted it to the UN Human Rights Council. ERD-Net also seeks to implement the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in Japan. The Japanese government submitted its first and second periodic report due under ICERD in 2000. The report was reviewed by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination (CERD) the following year, together with reports submitted by NGOs. The government is now preparing its third and fourth periodic report. ERD-Net calls on the Japanese government, as a state party to ICERD, to implement the final recommendations that CERD adopted during its 2001 review of Japan. About ERD-Net ① ERD-Net is centered on minority groups and individuals, with the participation of groups and individuals who work for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, and colonialism; ② ERD-Net has, at its foundation, the approach of deepening mutual understanding and strengthening solidarity amongst minorities, while prioritizing working with UN and other bodies, and lobbying the National Diet and various political parties, the Japanese government, and media. ③ ERD-Net engages in joint activities in various areas of Japan, spreading locally throughout the country. Goals: ・To become a platform for various joint actions, based on providing and sharing information in a consistent and timely manner; ・To promote the implementation of ICERD and the Diene Report in Japan; ・To realize the implementation of a legal system under ICERD, an issue of common concern; and ・To realize the implementation of recommendations in the Diene Report on issues of common concern. Activities: ① Information sharing: Sharing and disseminating information via mailing lists, website (http://www.imadr.org), and other means. ② Publicity: Creating and distributing Japanese language translation of the Diene Report, NGO Joint Statement, Open Letter to Special Rapporteur Diene, and NGO response to the Japanese governments’ note verbale on the Diene Report. ERD-Net also promotes information dissemination and communication with the major political parties, National Diet members, municipalities, the media and civil society. ③ Promoting mutual understanding and solidarity: Preparing to host forum on the elimination of racism and racial discrimination in Japan, and create white paper on the current situation of discrimination and historical awareness. ④ Policy-making activities: a) Dealing with deliberations regarding the Diene Report at the UN; b) Jointly creating the NGO response to the Japanese governments’ note verbale on the Diene report; c) Taking part in activities for the implementation of ICERD in Japan; and d) Making joint requests to various political parties and government agencies.]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.345 2007-08-13T07:28:41Z 2007-11-29T23:40:52Z

tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.343 2007-07-23T03:32:00Z 2007-11-15T14:26:37Z

tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.342 2007-07-23T03:31:23Z 2007-10-05T06:01:37Z

【カテゴリーの説明文】　 　人権救済機関の設置、人種主義的政策の改廃...

【カテゴリーの説明文】　 　人権救済機関の設置、人種主義的政策の改廃]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.341 2007-07-23T03:30:42Z 2007-11-14T10:56:45Z

IMADR is calling for your support to con...

IMADR is calling for your support to continue to help people rebuild lives and provide sustainable conditions for the future. You can help by making a donation. Please contact us at imadris@imadr.org if you are interested in joining us in the activity. We accept donations at: Bank: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Roppongi Branch Acc #: 4891417 Holder’s name: IMADR Bank address: 9-7, Roppongi 4-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 Japan Phone: (81-3) 3408-8117 / Fax: (81-3) 3408-8396 Bank Swift Code: BOTKJPJT *Please clearly indicate that the funds are for assisting tsunami-affected people in India and Sri Lanka. tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.350 2007-06-18T07:41:28Z 2008-03-25T06:22:17Z

The Special Rapporteur on contemporary f...

updated report on political platforms which promote or incite racial discrimination (external link) to the 5th session of the Human Rights Council, held from 11 to 18 June 2007. ]]> In this report, he addresses the human rights situation in Japan, especially its lack of instruments that enforce the general principle of equality or sanction discriminatory acts committed by citizens, businesses or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.340 2007-04-30T06:50:03Z 2007-11-29T23:49:44Z

IMADR's primary focus is to combat racis...

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 IMADR's activities introduced below all involve the complex interplay of multiple issues. tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/multi//30.572 2007-03-30T09:59:58Z 2008-03-25T06:19:27Z

annual report (external link) presented at the 4th session of the Human Rights Council held from 12 to 30 March 2007, "commended in particular" the establishment of the Japan NGO Network for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, as a positive development in Japan.]]>