Japan Human Rights Issue- London Confernece

Forced Conversion in Japan: 

Forced Conversion in Japan A Hidden Human Rights Crime Presented by Peter Zoehrer FOREF Europe www.foref.info

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 18: 

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 18 Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: 

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice

Japanese Law: 

“Freedom of religion is guaranteed to all.” - Article 20, Constitution of Japan Japanese Law

Japanese Criminal Code: 

Japanese Criminal Code “Anyone who would arrest or confine other  individuals unlawfully shall be subject to  imprisonment…” - Article 220

PowerPoint Presentation: 

“A person who, by intimidating another through a threat to another's life, body [or] freedom… hinders the other from exercising his or her rights, shall be punished by imprisonment… “ - Article 223,

What Is Happening in Japan?: 

What Is Happening in Japan? More than 4,300 believers have been kidnapped and secretly confined in order to force them to renounce their faith Less than 1/3 have escaped and returned to their communities of faith Virtually all of those who return report having been held against their will Not one criminal prosecution has resulted

The Role of the Police and Courts: 

The Role of the Police and Courts Police often refuse to help victims Missing-persons reports by non-relatives rejected In some cases police cooperate with the perpetrators In several decades not a single case has been prosecuted Civil courts treat the problem as a “family matter”

Mr. Toru Goto Kidnapping & Forced Confinement: 

Mr. Toru Goto Kidnapping & Forced Confinement 12+ years confined Never allowed outdoors Christian ministers advised his captors and attempt to convert him Deprived of proper nutrition during final two years Prosecutors refused to indict perpetrators

Mr Toru Goto After Confinement: 

Mr Toru Goto After Confinement

Recent Victims: 

Recent Victims Several believers are currently “disappeared” Some have written letters of renunciation, probably under duress Police still refuse to investigate

Recent Victim Photos: 

Recent Victim Photos N.K Renounced O.M Renounced H.M Returned I.Y Renounced M.K Returned Y.A Renounced T.S Renounced M.Y Undetermined T.T 監禁中 M.Y Returned T.S Prevented N.Y Prevented Renounced Renounced Missing; fiancé in Hungary 監禁

Hungarian woman married to a Japanese Victim: 

Hungarian woman married to a Japanese Victim Agnes J. Peter Zoehrer (FOREF) and Agnes J. during the interview in Budapest

Ministers and Churches Involved : 

Ministers and Churches Involved Nearly 100 Christian ministers have been implicated Some have bragged of converting dozens of “Moonies” who were confined Churches sometimes used as “rehabilitation” centers Victims become targets of proselytization

What Is Being Done: 

What Is Being Done Reports by US State Department Involvement of Congress Complaints Lodged with Ambassadors Formal Complaint at UNHRC News Releases Petitions Demonstrations