Thank you, Madame President
We welcome the delegation of Japan, and the presentation of their national report.
Norway is concerned that Japan this year alone has executed seven people, including people with suspected mental illness. Reported widespread use of solitary confinement, very short notice prior to the actual execution, and instances of people on Death Row for more than 30 years are worrying.
Norway recommends that Japan take immediate measures to abolish the death penalty for persons that were under-age at the time of the crime, as well as for those convicted individuals having significantly impaired mental ability or mental illness. Norway further recommends that Japan introduce a formal moratorium on executions and take concrete steps toward the abolition of the death penalty.
We are concerned by the lack of national legislation regarding discrimination. Norway recommends that Japan define discrimination in national legislation in line with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and prohibits all forms of direct and indirect discrimination, including on the basis of age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or nationality.
Finally, we recommend that Japan reform the detention system to bring it in line with international standards, including by implementing safeguards such as electronic recordings of the entire interrogation process, and ensuring that detainees are not questioned without the presence of a lawyer and have prompt and unhindered access to legal counsel.
I thank you, Madame President
Advanced Questions:
1. Norway is concerned by the detention system allowing for 23 days of detention without any charges being put forward, and subsequent possibility of adding a number of new 23 days as the suspect is charged with new offences. Are there plans to revise these practices?
2. There are in Japan’s national law today provisions to punish women whom, through conscious actions, have caused their own abortion, while there is no explicit definition of incest or marital rape as criminal offences, nor is rape of men or boys defined as a crime. What steps will the Government take to provide adequate legal protection against all forms for sexual violence?
3. Will Japan consider introducing a moratorium on the use of death penalty?