HRW urges Japan to speak out on Burma

by Celeste Chenard
Thursday, 09 April 2009 18:40

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged Japan to give human rights priority in the Japanese Foreign Policy, and in particular in its policy towards Burma.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Taro Aso released today, the New York-based human rights group, urged Japan to play a pivotal role in voicing its support for the people of Burma, and to make Human Rights a priority in its policy towards the Southeast Asian country.

“After the farcical 2008 Referendum completed the fourth step of the military government's Seven Step Road Map to Democracy, and with multi-party elections announced for 2010, Japan's strong leadership in support of the helpless people in Burma, is needed now more than ever,” the letter said.

HRW urged the Japanese government to press the junta to release “immediately and unconditionally” political prisoners, stop attacks on ethnic minorities, hold free and fair elections, and end rampant torture.

The activist group also called upon Japan to act in unison with other nations in imposing sanctions on the Burmese government, including an arms embargo on all weapons and ammunition sales and transfers to Burma.

The letter was released today on the occasion of the opening of a Human Rights Watch office in Tokyo, which refelcts the organization’s aspirations to highlight Asian rights issues.

"The opening of our Tokyo office demonstrates Human Rights Watch's commitment towards advancing human rights across Asia," Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch said at a news conference on Thursday.

The organization has asked the Japanese government, to turn into a stronger proponent for human rights in Asia.

"As a major power and one of the world's largest aid donors, Japan can play a much stronger role in promoting human rights. We are opening our new Tokyo office to help Japan live up to its potential on human rights,” Roth argued.

Japan has been extensively criticized for its quiet diplomacy on human rights records, particularly towards Burmese human rights violations.

After China, Japan is known to be one of the main aid suppliers to Burma and has kept a close relationship with the junta for half a century.

The letter reminds that “though the economic situation and the horrible reputation of the Burmese military government have led to a decrease in Japanese foreign aid and investment, Japan has remained a major donor to Burma till the present.”

It ends with the hope that Japan will use its prominent influence in Asia to encourage members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly China and India, to “put coordinated multilateral pressure on the Burmese government.”