Scholars Urge to Investigate Human Rights Violations in Japan
Human Rights violations in Japan, violation of United Nations human rights agreements Investigate Violations in Japan
Religious Scholars Urge to Investigate Human Rights Violations in Japan
De-conversions in Japan inflict torture on religious victims
TURIN, Italy, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
Religious scholars from Europe and North America should conduct independent investigations into the kidnappings and forced de-conversions of Unification Church members in Japan, urged Dan Fefferman, President of the International Coalition for Religious Freedom, speaking to the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR)
CESNUR is the world's premier gathering of scholars dedicated to the study of new religions and religious minorities. Approximately 150 scholars attended the conference, held in Italy at the University of Turin.
"These Human Rights violations in Japan are in direct violation of United Nations human rights agreements". Mr. Rhodes, International Helsinki Federation.
Fefferman reported to CENSUR attendees that 10 to 20 Unification Church members are currently victims of forced de-conversions each year in Japan. Two victims were abducted against their will only in August, and several more church members remain missing.
Human Rights violations in Japan, violation of United Nations human rights agreements Investigate Violations in Japan
WHY NO HUMAN RIGHTS IN JAPAN
Human rights expert Aaron Rhodes also discussed human rights abuses taking place in Japan at the recent European Leadership Conference and Fact Finding Tour to Japan, international . Mr. Rhodes rebuked Japan's judicial system for not acting independently but with prejudice against religious minorities. He pointed that this is a grave indictment against a liberal democracy.
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While so-called "deprogramming" has been eliminated in the United States for nearly 20 years, there exists a well organized movement in Japan to kidnap Unification Church members and hold them against their will for months or even years at a time.
The attitude of most Japanese government officials is totally outrageous and unacceptable. They turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses, and police refuse to investigate in part because there are not enough independent voices demanding justice. This inhuman attitude equals to governmental cooperation in these crimes and Human Right abuses.
"Scholars are not involved in Japan," Fefferman told the CESNUR audience. "One of the reasons they are not involved is that they are taking a professional risk if they defend the Unification Church."
Human Rights violations in Japan, violation of United Nations human rights agreements Investigate Violations in Japan
SHOCKING REAL LIFE STORIES
Fefferman shared real life stories of deprogramming survivors who report beatings, threats with knives, humiliation and other psychological abuse, food deprivation and rape.
Despite the clear abuses of civil liberties, Japanese authorities refuse to intervene, calling religious affiliation a "family matter." The religious persecution has victimized over 4,300 followers of the Unification Church. Recently kidnapped member could escape after 12 years of such illegal confinement. He was starved to death, tortured in many ways, yet he never lost his faith.
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| respected Buddhist priest: Stop Forced Conversion of Unificationists |
In the United States, American citizens are being encouraged to sign a petition for Congress to hold hearings on Japan's human rights violations. Specifically, the hearing would be held by the Tom Lantos Commission on Human Rights, co-chaired by Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) and Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA).
The Japanese attitude in regards to religious freedom and total lack of a human rights leads to illegal kidnappings, torture and ripe of thousands of innocent believers.
Human Rights violations in Japan, violation of United Nations human rights agreements Investigate Violations in Japan
For more information on the Japan abduction issue: http://stopjapanabductions.org/
About ICRF
The International Coalition for Religious Freedom is a non-profit, non-sectarian, educational organization dedicated to defending the religious freedom of all, regardless of creed, gender or ethnic origin.
SOURCE International Coalition for Religious Freedom
Human Rights violations in Japan, violation of United Nations human rights agreements Investigate Violations in Japan
