Letters of Solidarity http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/ en Copyright 2007 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:20:09 +0900 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Message from Arlene Inouye I am a teacher in the United States who is dedicated to peace and justice. I support the Sayama International Solidarity Campaign. We urge that his appeal not be denied and justice be done for Mr Ishikawa. It is unconscionable that he has not be given a fair trial and is discriminated against. http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2007/12/message_from_arlene_inouye.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2007/12/message_from_arlene_inouye.html 2007 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:20:09 +0900 Message from J. Karunaratne Everyone is entitled, without any discrimination, to equal protection of law (Universal Declaration of Human Rights). Under Article 6 of European Convention on Human Rights, everyone has the right to legal assistance of his own choosing, and shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to the law. Detention by the police without giving access to a lawyer is a violation of accepted principles of law. Discriminatory treatment meted out to Ishikawa, in his trial was unfair and unjust. http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2007/05/message_from_j_karunaratne.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2007/05/message_from_j_karunaratne.html 2007 Thu, 17 May 2007 17:47:46 +0900 Message from Theo van Boven To all concerned, As a professor of law at the University of Maastricht (Netherlands), and as a former Special Rapporteur of the United Nations, I wish to express my full support for the Sayama International Solidarity Campaign and, in connection with the third appeal for the retrial of Mr. Ishikawa, I want to urge that the basic human rights principles of non-discrimination, due process and fair trial be faithfully and strictly respected. Yours sincerely, Theo van Boven http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/10/message_from_theo_van_boven.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/10/message_from_theo_van_boven.html 2006 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 14:01:23 +0900 Message from TAMIL NADU DALIT WOMEN’S MOVEMENT Tamil Nadu Women’s Forum, Tamil Nadu Dalit Women’s Movement and Alliance of People’s Movement on the 43rd anniversary of Mr. Ishikawa’s arrest regarding the Sayama’s case vehemently condemns False Charges against Kazuo Ishikawa and the Conviction of Mr. Ishikawa. The movements in India strongly campaign and show solidarity against the conviction of Mr. Ishikawa. As movements we are joining with all the other discriminated communities around the world to fight against racial, caste and other discrimination. We continue to combat all kinds of discrimination against people. We condemn the Japanese criminal justice system which perpetuates racial discrimination. The Japanese racial discrimination against Buraku people, the role of media in perpetuating discrimination against the Buraku community in Japan should be uprooted from the society. The prejudice against Buraku community is reflected in the Sayama case. We join hands with 6 million Buraku people in Japan, to fight against the discrimination. Mr. Ishikawa is innocent, he should be released and his rights should not be violated. We demand the Japanese Government not to recognise the criminal justice system and not to promote the anti Buraku sentiment in the Japanese society. We condemn this act and insist to treat all as equals without any discrimination. LONG LIVE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY! BY TAMIL NADU DALIT WOMEN’S MOVEMENT http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/10/statement_of_solidarity.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/10/statement_of_solidarity.html 2006 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 14:00:51 +0900 Message from NCDHR Dear Friends, The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) from India raises serious concern about false implication and denial of justice to Mr. Kazuo Ishikawa for more than four decades. NCDHR at the same time expresses its solidarity with Mr. Ishikawa in the Sayama case. It is also to be noted here that Mr. Ishikawa is not alone in his struggle against false implication in a murder case and also for justice which has been wrongly denied to him for more than four decades by now. The worst forms of human rights violations and racial/descent/caste discrimination affects a large majority of global population, NCDHR and many others pledges its support for a Global Movement for Justice. It is also an opportunity to expose hypocrisy, racial and caste discrimination and the inbuilt impunity in the criminal justice system in different countries around the world. NCDHR joins Mr. Ishikawa and others on behalf of Dalits of India and extends full solidarity and would like to be associated with Sayama International Solidarity Campaign. Let us work together and create a world free from all kinds of discrimination based on race, caste, descent, work, gender, etc. With Regards & In Solidarity N.Paul Divakar National Convenor, NCDHR Co-Chair, IDSN J.Vincent Manoharan General Secretary, NCDHR Umakant, Ph.D Secretary-Advocacy, NCDHR http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/10/2.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/10/2.html 2006 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 13:57:37 +0900 Message of Solidarity for Mr. Kazuo Ishikawa and the Buraku Liberation League At the occasion of this press conference, I, as the Chairman of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, would like to convey my message of solidarity to Mr Ishikawa and the Buraku Liberation League for your continuing efforts for the retrial and acquittal of Mr. Ishikawa. Forty-three years after the erroneous arrest of Mr Ishikawa because of the alleged murder of a teenage girl it is due time to finally bring justice to him. The submission of the third appeal to the Tokyo High Court for the retrial of the Sayama Case opens up a path for the responsible judicial authorities to pay due respect to the discrimination and prejudice against Burakumin, which had led to incorrect police investigations and Mr Ishikawa’s conviction. After dismissing the appeal for retrial two times, the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, as the umbrella organization of 16 regional organizations of Sinti and Roma in Germany, strongly urges the Tokyo High Court to open up the case and bring justice to Mr Ishikawa. Since the beginning of our cooperative work within the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism, the Central Council and the BLL have made the topic of the prosecution of Mr. Ishikawa on the basis of prejudicial investigations and prejudicial reporting a number one priority. We did so, because we are aware of the fact that within the administration of justice and among law enforcement institutions discrimination against vulnerable minorities is widespread. This is true for Japan as well as for Germany and for the rest of Europe. Sinti and Roma are, in fact, frequently objects of police violence and they are constantly denied access to equal justice. The Central Council and its member organizations, therefore, will keep up solidarity with Mr Ishikawa and use all means at its disposal to assist the campaign for a retrial of the so called Sayama case. To fight discrimination and racism effectively, states have to implement and comply international human rights standards. Accordingly, the Japanese judicial authorities and government have to open up the path for retrial for Mr Ishikawa. Romani Rose Chairman, Central Council of German Sinti and Roma Director, International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism May 23rd, 2006 http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/10/message_of_solidarity_for_mr_k.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/10/message_of_solidarity_for_mr_k.html 2006 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 13:52:52 +0900 Send a Letter of Solidarity These letters will be made available online and given to the Sayama legal defense team as a symbol of solidarity, as they push for a retrial of the case, and as IMADR and related groups organize to end racial discrimination in the administration of justice in Japan.

Use the form below to submit a letter of solidarity. Thank you very much for your support.

]]> http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/09/send_a_letter_of_solidarity.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/09/send_a_letter_of_solidarity.html post Wed, 27 Sep 2006 03:47:15 +0900 Message from Theo van Boven To all concerned, As a professor of law at the University of Maastricht (Netherlands), and as a former Special Rapporteur of the United Nations, I wish to express my full support for the Sayama International Solidarity Campaign and, in connection with the third appeal for the retrial of Mr. Ishikawa, I want to urge that the basic human rights principles of non-discrimination, due process and fair trial be faithfully and strictly respected. Yours sincerely, Theo van Boven May 2006 http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/05/message_from_theo_van_boven_2.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/05/message_from_theo_van_boven_2.html 2006 Mon, 01 May 2006 14:46:50 +0900 Message from Michael Sharpe Dear IMADR International Secretariat: On behalf of the IMADR-North America Committee Focal Point, I am writing to express solidarity with the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), the Buraku Liberation League (BLL), and others concerned in support of the Sayama International Solidarity Campaign. Mr. Ishikawa’s case is an important illustration of the ways in which racism and discrimination can compromise and subvert justice. Please accept this statement of solidarity with the Sayama International Solidarity Campaign as a symbol of our commitment to the fight against racial discrimination in the administration of justice around the world. Yours in solidarity, Michael Sharpe IMADR North America Committee Focal Point May 17, 2006 http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/03/message_from_michael_sharpe.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2006/03/message_from_michael_sharpe.html 2006 Fri, 17 Mar 2006 14:03:11 +0900 Tamil Nadu Women's Forum demands justice for Mr. Ishikawa he Tamil Nadu Women's Forum along with Tamil Nadu Dalit Women's Movement condemns the Japanese judicial procedure for perpetuating discrimination in dismising the second appeal for Retrial of the Sayama case. TNWF demands the First Petty Bench of the Supreme Court for dismissing the appeal for retrial of Sayama case. TNWF demands that the evidence held by the public prosecutor to be disclosed, be made open so that justice be brought to Mr. Ishikawa.

TNWF urges the Japanse government to regulate and correct the system maintained by the police in detaining the suspects, and to address the issues according to ICCPR.

TNWF demands the Japanese government to take the General Recommendations of CERD seriously into consideration to uphold Human Rights, based on UDHR, and to take action immediately. Burnad Fatima. N.
President, Tamil Nadu Women's Forum / Tamil Nadu Dalit Women's Movement http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/10/tamil_nadu_womens_forum_demand.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/10/tamil_nadu_womens_forum_demand.html 2005 Sat, 01 Oct 2005 14:36:22 +0900 Message of Solidarity from Romani Rose At this public gathering for protest, I, as the Chairman of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, would like to convey my message of solidarity to Mr Ishikawa and the Buraku Liberation League for your continuing efforts for the retrial and acquittal of Mr. Ishikawa. As we learned on March 17, the Supreme Court of Japan issued a decision to dismiss the special appeal made by the defense group of the Sayama case in 2002, in reaction to the Tokyo High Court's decision to dismiss the objection filed for the second appeal for retrial. The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, as the umbrella organization of 16 regional organizations of Sinti and Roma in Germany, strongly condemns this decision. Since the beginning of our cooperative work within the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism, the Central Council and the BLL have made the topic of the prosecution of Mr. Ishikawa on the basis of prejudicial investigations and prejudicial reporting a number one priority. We did so, because we are aware of the fact that within the administration of justice and among law enforcement institutions discrimination against vulnerable minorities is widespread. This is true for Japan as well as for Germany and for the rest of Europe. Sinti and Roma are, in fact, frequently objects of police violence and they are constantly denied access to equal justice. To fight discrimination and racism effectively, states have to implement and comply international human rights standards. Accordingly, the Japanese judicial authorities and government have to open up the path for retrial for Mr Ishikawa so that finally justice is brought to him. Romani Rose (Chairman, Central Council of German Sinti and Roma) http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/10/message_of_solidarity_from_rom.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/10/message_of_solidarity_from_rom.html 2005 Sat, 01 Oct 2005 14:33:56 +0900 Message from the Migrant Forum in Asia The MFA secretariat supports the IMADR's statement on the Japanese Supre Court's decision on the Sayama Case. We support your call for the Japanese judicial authorities to allow the evidence held by the public prosecutor be disclosed to the defense, that the path for retrial, which has been closed for 28 years, be made open, and that justice be brought to Mr. Ishikawa. Courage and Peace, Migrant Forum in Asia 6 April, 2005 http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/04/message_from_the_migrant_forum.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/04/message_from_the_migrant_forum.html 2005 Wed, 06 Apr 2005 14:36:54 +0900 Message from Soom Man Rhim & Michael Sharpe On behalf of the IMADR-North America Commitee, we would like to express our solidarity with IMADR and the Buraku Liberation League and others fighing against discrimination around the world in protest of the Japanese Judicial System's decision to dismiss the special request for the second appeal for retrial of the Sayama case. Yours in solidarity, Soom Man Rhim & Michael Sharpe IMADR- North America Committee 23 March 2005 http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/03/message_from_soom_man_rhim_mic.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/03/message_from_soom_man_rhim_mic.html 2005 Fri, 25 Mar 2005 14:35:14 +0900 Message from Dr. Chandra Muzaffar The International Movement for a Just World (JUST) has been informed that the Supreme Court of Japan had, on 16 March 2005, dismissed the special appeal of the defence in the Sayama case. JUST is extremely disappointed with the decision. It shows that the Supreme Court has failed to rectify an obvious miscarriage of justice. Worse, it will be perceived as perpetuating an act of discrimination in Japanese society. Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, President, International Movement for a Just World (JUST), Malaysia. 21 March 2005 http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/03/dr_chandra_muzaffar_1.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/03/dr_chandra_muzaffar_1.html 2005 Mon, 21 Mar 2005 03:48:06 +0900 Message from Theo van Boven Please convey to the Buraku Liberation League my sentiments of deep disappointment and regret about the Supreme Court's decision in the Sayama case and assure the Buraku Liberation League of my full solidarity in the struggle for equality and justice. Warm regards, Theo van Boven 18 March, 2005 http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/03/message_from_theo_van_boven_1.html http://www.imadr.org/sayama/solidarity/2005/03/message_from_theo_van_boven_1.html 2005 Fri, 18 Mar 2005 14:04:21 +0900