Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
February 25, 2015
Press Release
NHK Broadcaster Defends Sexual Slavery in Japan
The new head of Japan’s national broadcaster NHK defence of the country’s wartime military sexual slavery is deplorable, said Amnesty International.
January 27, 2014
Report
Annual Report: Japan 2013
Japan Head of government Shinzō Abe (replaced Yoshihiko Noda) Police abuse and irregularities in police interrogations took place in Japan's criminal justice system. The authorities continued to reject calls for justice for the survivors of Japan's military sexual slavery system. Japan resumed executions after a 20-month hiatus. The number of people being granted refugee status remained extremely low. Background The Liberal Democratic Party headed by Shinzo Abe won parliamentary elections on 16 December. Although a state party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court since 2007, Japan had still not implemented its obligations under this treaty. About 160,000…
May 20, 2013
Press Release
Annual Death Penalty Report Finds Setbacks for a Handful of Countries but Progress Toward Abolition Across the Globe
In its annual report today on executions and death sentences worldwide, Amnesty International found a handful of countries renewing executions after abandoning them for years – notably India, Japan, and Pakistan – and an alarming escalation of executions in Iraq.
April 3, 2013
Press Release
Amnesty International Urges Japan to Halt Executions
Amnesty International condemns the new wave of executions in Japan, which increased after two death row inmates were hanged on Thursday.
September 27, 2012
Press Release
Japanese Authorities Must Stop Use of Capital Punishment Following Two Executions
After carrying out no executions in 2011, Japan has put five people to death this year, including Junya Hattori and Kyozo Matumura.
August 3, 2012
Press Release
Hangings in Japan significant step backwards
Japan’s decision to hang three prisoners after nearly two years without executions is a retrograde step, Amnesty International said.
March 29, 2012
Press Release
Japan Minister Must Not Cave in to Pressure on Death Penalty, says Amnesty International
Japan’s justice minister should not sign execution warrants, Amnesty International and the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network said today, following the minister’s announcement that he does not intend to end capital punishment, despite saying last month that he would not approve executions.
October 28, 2011
Report
Annual Report: Japan 2011
Head of government: Naoto Kan (replaced Hatoyama Yukio in June) Death penalty: retentionist Population: 127 million Life expectancy: 83.2 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 5/4 per 1,000 The daiyo kangoku pre-trial detention system persisted, increasing the risk of abusive interrogation practices. The comfort women reparations movement gathered further momentum, with several Japanese cities urging the central government to compensate and issue apologies to survivors of the comfort women system. The Minister of Justice set up a working group on capital punishment in July; that same month, two people were executed. Refugees and asylum-seekers remained vulnerable to abuses; one man was killed…
July 5, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Expresses Condolences to those Impacted by the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Amnesty International Public StatementFor Immediate ReleaseWednesday, March 16, 2011Amnesty International Expresses Condolences to those Impacted by the Earthquake and Tsunami in JapanContact: AIUSA media relations office, 202-509-8194(Washington, D.C.) Amnesty International is greatly saddened by the devastating impact on Japan by the massive earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent crisis that continues to unfold at one of the nation’s nuclear power complex.Amnesty International wishes to extend our condolences to the bereaved and sympathies to those still searching for their loved ones and to all those who have been impacted. We also wish to express our solidarity with all those involved in…
March 27, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Expresses Condolences to those Impacted by the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Amnesty International Public StatementFor Immediate ReleaseWednesday, March 16, 2011Amnesty International Expresses Condolences to those Impacted by the Earthquake and Tsunami in JapanContact: AIUSA media relations office, 202-509-8194(Washington, D.C.) Amnesty International is greatly saddened by the devastating impact on Japan by the massive earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent crisis that continues to unfold at one of the nation’s nuclear power complex.Amnesty International wishes to extend our condolences to the bereaved and sympathies to those still searching for their loved ones and to all those who have been impacted. We also wish to express our solidarity with all those involved in…
March 27, 2011
Report
Annual Report: Japan 2010
Head of government Hatoyama Yukio (replaced Aso Taro in September) Death penalty retentionist Population 127.2 million Life expectancy 82.7 years Under-5 mortality (m/f) 5/4 per 1,000 Executions continued until August when a new government took power. The newly appointed Minister of Justice called for a public debate on the death penalty and instituted a group to study "transparency" during interrogations. However, the pre-trial daiyo kangoku (detention) system continued. Prisoners faced prolonged periods of solitary confinement and inadequate medical access. In July, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons expressed great concern at trafficking for labour exploitation and recommended stronger…
March 19, 2011