By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

TOKYO, Japan – An investigation conducted by the United Nations (UN) found that foreign migrant workers in Japan face racism and discrimination.

Japan has increasingly relied on migrant laborers from countries like China and the Philippines as a result of their declining population.  However, the UN report found that some conditions the migrant workers face in Japan “may well amount to slavery.”

UN Special Rapporteur Jorge Bustamante, a specialist in international migration, said, “They [migrants] face racism . . . , exploitation, a tendency by the judiciary and police to ignore their rights and the overall lack of a comprehensive immigration policy that incorporates human rights protection.”

The UN report also highlighted that racism and discrimination based on nationality in schools, workplace, housing and health care  are also very common in Japan. 

Bustamante especially drew attention to the high rates of domestic violence against migrant women and children.  He said, “Appropriate policies to protect and assist single mothers and their children who find themselves in this extremely vulnerable situation are lacking . . . .”

For example, large number of migrant children in Japan does not attend school.  The UN is urging the Japanese government to increase efforts in helping these children study and learn Japanese.

There have also been cases where parents of children born in Japan who have lived in the country for more than ten years have recently been deported or detained, which resulted in children being separated from their parents.

The Special Rapporteur expressed concern that “[i]n accordance with the principle of the best interest of the child, families should not be separated.”

Furthermore, the UN investigation found that Japan has a policy of detaining irregular immigrants, e.g., asylum-seekers, parents and children, for extended period of time.  In certain cases, some were detained as long as three years, which, according to the UN, is a “de factor indefinite detention.”

Japans’ Foreign Ministry has declined to comment, and Bustamante will represent his full report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in October.
For more information, please see:

AFP – Racism and discrimination common in Japan: UN envoy – 31 March 2010

Financial Times – Japan’s treatment of migrant workers criticized – 31 March 2010

UN News Centre – Independent UN rights expert urges end to migrant discrimination in Japan – 1 April 2010

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

HYDERABAD, India – The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has been facing extensive violence and disorder in its streets, as continual rioting has plagued its streets since Saturday.  The riots allegedly began as a result of an agitated skirmish over decorations for the celebration of the Hindu deity Hanuman’s birthday.  Hindus and Muslims both committed violent acts towards one another as the Hyderabad streets dissolved into chaos.   Communal tensions between the two religious groups are not new to the state of Andhra Pradesh, which has an approximately 60:40 Hindu-to-Muslim population ratio.

It seems that greater friction between Hindus and Muslims has manifested since the Indian government began discussing splitting the Andhra Pradesh state.  However, the riots that began on Saturday represented an instance in which the streets of Hyderabad were consumed in violent action.  There have been myriad reports of people setting buildings aflame, damaging vehicles on the street and turning the Andhra Pradesh streets essentially to a war zone.  Also, about five mosques and one Hindu temple were damaged in the streets

Approximately one-hundred people have been arrested in connection to the rioting thus far.  While there has only been one reported death, a man who was stabbed to death in the riots, scores more have been injured to varying degrees.  The continual activity and disturbance on the Hyderabad streets would have made it difficult to deliver assistance to those who have sustained injuries.

The police have allegedly been looking into possible catalysts for the extensive violence.  However, cooperation from Indian nationals has been difficult to attain.  In order to crack down on the raging communities in the Muslim-majority Old Hyderabad, where the riots spiraled out of control, the police stations in various parts of the city have been subject to a curfew.  Fluctuations in the terms of the curfew have occurred over the week, including relaxations to allow women and older women to wander.

Both Hindu and Muslim groups claim that the government has done a poor job in quelling the riots, declaring that there was actually a Congressional interest in allowing the riots to continue.  These allegations, however, have yet to be confirmed or substantiated.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Curfew follows Hyderabad riots – 30 March 2010

HinduJagruti – Jihadi Riots in Hyderabad… – 31 March 2010

SifyNews – Shoot-at-sight orders issued in Hyderabad… – 30 March 2010

By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – On Sunday, 28 March 2010, more than 123 mine workers died after being trapped underground when a leak in a coalmine caused water to surge into the mine. Reports indicate that there were 261 miners working when water started to flood the coalmine. Only 138 were able to be lifted to safety. Despite efforts by rescuers, the other remaining workers died. The cause of the flooding is still under government investigation.

 Wangjialing mine, located in the Shanxi province, and lies between Xiangning county and the city of Hejin The mine covers an area of around 180 sq km (about 70 sq miles) near the heavily polluted mining hub of Linfen. It is also affiliated to state-owned Huajin Coking Coal Co. Ltd., which is a major government-approved project, expected to produce about 6 million tons of coal a year once in full operation.

Experts reviewing the accident theorize that it could have been the result of workers breaking into the old shafts or pits of derelict mines that had filled with water. David Feickert, a coal mine safety adviser to the Chinese government, stated, “It could be that they broke into old workings, works that were not properly mapped out. That’s a common problem with flooding, and Shanxi is an area where they have very extensive mining, a lot of old mines.”

Accidents like that of Wangjialing are not unique in China. Even though China’s mine safety record has improved in recent years, it is still the world’s worst, with blasts and other accidents remain common. China’s work safety administration indicates that 2,631 people died in coal mine accidents in 2009. The cause is many of these accidents is due to relaxed safety methods and poor training. Further, the demand for coal to fuel the country’s strong economic growth also encourages mine operators to open some especially dangerous mines illegally or flout official rules.

 Many of those who die belong to China’s growing underclass. They are desperately impoverished boys and men from rural villages. There are presently no unions, and regulatory safety checks on mine safety continues to be minimal, placing the many workers who seek employment as miners at high risk.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Flood in unfinished China coal mine – 29 March 2010

New York Times – Rescuers Struggle to Free 153 Chinese Miners – 29 March 2010

Associated Press –Flood traps 153 coal miners in northern China – 29 March 2010

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

SEOUL, South Korea – An American from Boston is to go on trial for illegally entering North Korea.

Aijalon Mahli Gomes, 30, had been teaching English in South Korea for several years. Acquaintances described him as a devout Christian who was dedicated to his students.

His family spokeswoman said that it is unclear why Gomes went to North Korea. 
However, activists in South Korea did comment that Gomes was an acquaintance of Robert Park, another American missionary who was detained and then released by North Korea last month.

Days after Park’s arrest, Gomes attended rallies calling for Park’s release where a Seoul-based activist said he saw Gomes weep.  Jo Sung-rae, a South Korean activist, said that Gomes contacted Jo about working in his rights group and met Park in Seoul last summer.

Jo said, “I felt [that] he may have gone to North Korea after being inspired by Robert Park.”

Although a trial date has not been set, Gomes is believed to be the fourth American North Korea said it detained back in January.  In addition to Gomes and Park, two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, were arrested a year ago and sentenced to twelve years of hard labor.  However, the two journalists were freed after former U.S. President Bill Clinton made a high-profile humanitarian visit to North Korea and negotiated their release.

U.S. State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley said on Tuesday that the United States had not been formally notified regarding charges against Gomes.  However, Crowley did say that Swedish diplomats have been in contact with Gomes.

North Korea’s announcement that Gomes is to go on trial also comes at a time when Pyongyang’s neighbors have been pressuring North Korea to rejoin international talks concerning dismantling of its nuclear weapons program.

Gomes’ family spokeswoman Thaleia Schlesinger said, “The family is praying for him and for his speedy return home.”
For more information, please see:

AP – US man held in NKorea rallied against Pyongyang – 25 March 2010

Guardian – North Korea to put US citizen on trial for illegal entry – 22 March 2010

USA Today – North Korea to try American on trespassing charge – 22 March 2010