Death row conditions in Japan criticised by the CCPR

Aysu Amaha Öztürk

Japan and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

On November 3rd, the UN Human Rights Committee (CCPR) published its Concluding Observations regarding human rights in Japan, after the periodic review that was done for the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In its report, the CCPR highlighted the existence of death row in Japan as well as the number of acts that amount to capital offences. (CCPR, 2022) 

It has been reported that several capital offences in Japan do not comply with ICCPR’s requirements regarding capital offences. The CCPR also found that Japan has been keeping death row inmates in solitary confinement for years and watching them through 24-hour video surveillance systems. The inmates and their families are also uninformed regarding the day of execution, which adds anxiety to the already difficult situation in which they find themselves. (CCPR, 2022)

The CCPR has called on Japan to abolish the death penalty and change laws regarding capital offences. (CCPR, 2022) If Japan continues its regime regarding prisoners and the death penalty, it will continue to violate the ICCPR which they ratified in 1979. Article 6 which ensures the right to life and Article 7 which prohibits cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are especially under threat considering the actions of Japan regarding the treatment of prisoners. 

Sources and further reading:

UN Human Rights Committee. (3 November 2022). 136th session, Concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of Japan (UN Doc. CCPR/C/JPN/CO/7) United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies Database. https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CCPR/C/JPN/CO/7&Lang=en

Human Rights Bodies. Ratification Status for Japan. United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies Database. https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/Treaty.aspx?CountryID=87&Lang=EN