Japan: ‘Hostage Justice’ System Violates Rights

By Human Rights Watch

(Tokyo) – Japan’s system of “hostage justice” denies criminal suspects the rights to due process and a fair trial, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The 101-page report, “Japan’s ‘Hostage Justice’ System,” documents the abusive treatment of criminal suspects in pretrial detention. The authorities strip suspects of their right to remain silent, question them without a lawyer, coerce them to confess through repeated arrests and denial of bail, and detain them for prolonged periods under constant surveillance in police stations. The Japanese government should urgently undertake wide-ranging…

Read complete article

~	Burkina Faso: UN rights office deeply alarmed at reported killing of 220 villagers

~	A new dash for copper is underway - how will it play out? Expert Q&A

~	Why does it feel so cold in the UK right now – and when will it warm up?

~	Artificial sweetener could harm your gut and the microbes that live there – new study

~	Gaza war: ‘no evidence’ of Hamas infiltration of UN aid agency, says report – but US and UK dither on funding while famine takes hold

~	Five books by Maryse Condé to introduce you to the award-winning Guadeloupian writer

~	How maps are used and abused in times of conflict

~	African Governments Falling Short on Healthcare Funding

~	Guinea Massacre Trial Enters Final Stage

~	Kenyan doctors’ strike: the government keeps failing to hold up its end of the bargain