NGO Report in Response to the First and Second Report

Prepared by the Government of Japan Concerning CERD

Buraku Liberation League (BLL)

Buraku Liberation and Human Rights Research Institute

(Continuation from BLL No.107)

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2. Article 2 (Undertakings of State Parties to Eliminate Discrimination)

Paragraph 1 (e).

(2) With regard to Paragraph 2 of Article 2, since the enactment of the "Law on Special Measures for Dowa Projects" in July 1969, the Government of Japan has implemented a series of Special Measures laws with the aim of eliminating Buraku discrimination. On the basis of proposals made by the Consultative Council on Regional Improvement Measures in May 1996, the Special Measures laws will conclude at the end of March 2002. It is extremely important that a comprehensive survey be conducted by the Government so that they have a complete picture of the actual situation of Buraku discrimination. This is in order to know whether or not the planned expiration of the Special Measures laws is actually appropriate and what the next measures to be taken could be should it be found that it is. As of November 2000, the Government has not indicated any intention to conduct such a survey. The last Buraku survey to be conducted by the National Government was in 1993.

(Data 4 in page 7)

3. Article 3 (Prohibition of Apartheid)

4. Article 4 (Prohibition of Discrimination and Incitement Based on Racism) (Data 5-1, 5-2)

(1) With regard to the introduction, there has been an increase in the number of discriminatory statements found in the forms of graffiti, reader's contributions and messages posted on the Internet. Examples of these statements include "Kill Buraku People", "Exterminate Buraku People" and so on. The Government has not yet taken any decisive action against such practices.

(2) With regard to Paragraph (a), the Government of Japan should immediately withdraw its reservations to enact a national law in compliance with this paragraph, considering the fact that discriminatory incidents are occurring more frequently, as mentioned above.

(3) With regard to Paragraph (b), propaganda of or incitement to discrimination against Buraku people in the forms of graffiti and Internet communications are often made under names of organizations. Since this violates human rights, the Government should immediately withdraw their reservations and enact a national law.

(4) (c)

Data 5-1

Propaganda of and incitement to Buraku discrimination on Internet have been increasing. Such practices are roughly classified into the following three categories.

1. Propagation of information regarding locations of Buraku communities

2. to name famous persons, such as in the worlds of sports and show business, and propagate their backgrounds, such as being of Buraku or Korean origin.

3. to incite discrimination, for example, saying "Exterminate Buraku people."

At present, any of these practices are not 6prohibited by law in Japan.

Data 5-2

Discrimination on the Internet

Along with the advancement of information technology, the internet has become very popular throughout the world. Also, with the popularity of electronic communication devices, discriminatory messages such as attacks on Buraku people, in the form of humiliating remarks and derogatory terms, are being transmitted more and more often. Discrimination has been expanding its way into the new types of media.

( This report was published in February 2001)

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