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May 25, 2023

© 2023 Takeshi Miyatuka for Human Rights Watch Falling Victim to Japan’s ‘Hostage Justice’ A new Human Rights Watch report documents how authorities strip suspects of their right to remain silent, question them without a lawyer, coerce them to confess through repeated arrests and denial of bail, and detain them for prolonged periods under constant surveillance in police stations, during which time many are often not allowed contact with family members. Here’s how this affected the Nakamura family: Nakamura, an accountant, had pancreatic cancer when the police arrested him in October 2016 for fraud. His lawyer repeatedly requested bail to obtain adequate medical treatment, but all applications were denied. Though finally released in 2017, Nakamura died two years later awaiting his second appeal following a guilty verdict. His family alleges the prolonged detention and the prison authorities’ failure to provide adequate medical services contributed to his death. Their story is not uncommon in Japan, where a criminal justice system functions on laws, procedures, and practices that systematically violate the rights of accused persons. The problems are so deep that some in Japan have nicknamed it the “hostage justice system,” as suspects are frequently denied their rights to due process and a fair trial and are often held in pretrial detention for months or even years to obtain their confessions. “You are basically held hostage until you give the prosecutors what they want,” said one former prosecutor. WATCH: Denied Bail and Forced to Confess in Japan These abusive practices have resulted in lives and families being torn apart, as well as wrongful convictions. Judges approved 94.7 percent of prosecutors’ requests for pretrial detention in 2020, and the conviction rate at trial is 99.8 percent. Japan is known around the world as a rights-respecting democracy, and its justice system is viewed as competent and impartial. Eroding individuals’ liberty and presumption of innocence in pretrial detention shouldn’t be part of that legacy. Read More News Around the World Proposed Law in Poland Threatens Children’s Rights Poland’s ruling party has introduced legislation allegedly intended to curb the “sexualization of children” and “all sorts of strange ideas.” Really, it’s the government’s latest attempt to eliminate comprehensive sexuality education. Read More Vietnam Hits Activist With ‘Propaganda’ Charges Bui Tuan Lam has publicly advocated for democracy in Vietnam, saying his “ideology and passion” is “to advocate for freedom, democracy and human rights.” He is scheduled to go on trial this week for online criticism of the government and faces 12 years in prison. Read More Mass Arrests Target Pakistan’s Political Opposition Pakistani police have carried out mass arrests and detained more than 4,000 people in the wake of protests over the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, including members of the political opposition. Read More Weekly Quiz Test Your Human Rights Knowledge Know your human rights news? Take our weekly quiz and see how you stack up. Find It Here

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