Japan: Urge Bangladesh, Myanmar to Protect Rights

Topic: 

Refugee Rights, Asylum Seekers ,Internally Displaced People

Sub-title: 

Foreign Minister Taro Kono Should Use Trip to Raise Rohingya’s Plight

Description: 

"Japan’s foreign minister, Taro Kono, should raise critical human rights issues during his visit to Bangladesh and Myanmar from July 29 to July 31, 2019, Human Rights Watch said in a July 26 letter to the foreign minister. “Foreign Minister Kono should press the Bangladeshi government about arrests under its draconian digital security laws and online censorship that is stifling peaceful criticism and dissent,” said Kanae Doi, Japan director. “While in Myanmar, Foreign Minister Kono should urge the government to ensure that humanitarian agencies, human rights groups, and independent media have access to ethnic Rohingya and other at-risk minorities.” Kono should press the Bangladeshi government to drop politically motivated charges against critics and the opposition. Bangladesh should also amend the Digital Security Act to ensure the right to freedom of expression, investigate enforced disappearances, and ensure that any repatriation of Rohingya is voluntary. In Myanmar, Kono should urge Aung San Suu Kyi’s government to end the arbitrary arrest and detention of government critics, reform or repeal the Media Law and other abusive legislation to eliminate restrictions on basic rights, end institutionalized discrimination against the Rohingya, and fully cooperate with international fact-finding mechanisms..."

Source/publisher: 

Human Rights Watch

Date of Publication: 

2019-07-29

Date of entry: 

2019-08-01

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

Category: 

Countries: 

Myanmar, Bangladesh, Japan

Language: 

English

Resource Type: 

text

Text quality: 

    • Good