Press Conference: They Don't Treat Us Like Human Beings; Abuse Allegations at Japanese Women's Prisons

PRESS CONFERENCE

They Don't Treat Us Like Human Beings; Abuse Allegations at Japanese Women's Prisons
Teppei Kasai, Asia Program Officer, Asia Division, Human Rights Watch
Ayuko Takatoh, Attorney at Law
Goro Koto, Director of Japan Advocacy Network for Drug Policy

13:00-14:00 Tuesday, November 14, 2023
(The speech and Q & A will be in English & Japanese with English interpretation)

Japan's system of justice relies to a large extent on imprisonment, limited by a lack of alternatives such as community service.

Women convicted of criminal offenses in Japan are often not considered for such alternatives and suffer violations of their human rights during imprisonment. The problem is often compounded by abusive policies as well as the lack of an effective independent oversight of prisons. Mothers of young children are particularly affected by having to spend time in prison.
 
In a new report titled "They Don't Treat Us like Human Beings" to be released for the first time at this press conference, Human Rights Watch examines serious abuses behind the walls of women's prisons in Japan and makes specific policy recommendations. Based on interviews with 58 former prisoners and a person who was in prison at the time of the research, contributions from 11 lawyers and penal reform experts, as well as media reports and government documents, the report lists abuses such as the use of restraints on pregnant prisoners, inadequate access to medical services, including mental health services, the arbitrary and prolonged use of solitary confinement, and verbal abuse by prison guards.

How to attend:
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel.

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Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event.

Professional Activities Committee