July 12, 2017
It has come to light that the Abe government has not yet answered an inquiry about the “anti-conspiracy” law submitted by Joseph Cannataci, a UN Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy.
Cannataci sent a letter dated May 18 to Prime Minister Abe Shinzo regarding the anti-conspiracy bill which was at that time under Diet deliberation. In his letter, Cannataci pointed out that the “anti-conspiracy” bill “may affect the exercise of the right to privacy as well as other fundamental public freedoms.” He requested that the Japanese government give an explanation regarding the consistency of the anti-conspiracy law with international human rights standards and clarify what measures will be taken to protect people’s right to privacy.
On July 11 when the anti-conspiracy law took effect, asked about Cannataci’s letter by the press, Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio said, “We are now preparing to respond to the inquiry”.
The Japanese government, on the same day as receiving Cannataci’s letter, criticized his letter as being “inappropriate”, and stated, “Regarding concerns and questions expressed in the letter, the Japanese government is ready to explain its position promptly.” However, even now two months after the statement, the Abe government has not provided a response to Cannataci’s inquiry and has not fulfilled its accountability.
Past related articles:
> Gov’t should sincerely respond to UN expert’s letter on ‘anti-conspiracy’ bill: Lawyer [May 31, 2017]
> Abe gov’t protests against UN expert’s letter critical of ‘anti-conspiracy’ bill [May 23, 2017]
> UN special rapporteur on privacy expresses concern about ‘anti-conspiracy’ bill [May 20 & 21, 2017]
Cannataci sent a letter dated May 18 to Prime Minister Abe Shinzo regarding the anti-conspiracy bill which was at that time under Diet deliberation. In his letter, Cannataci pointed out that the “anti-conspiracy” bill “may affect the exercise of the right to privacy as well as other fundamental public freedoms.” He requested that the Japanese government give an explanation regarding the consistency of the anti-conspiracy law with international human rights standards and clarify what measures will be taken to protect people’s right to privacy.
On July 11 when the anti-conspiracy law took effect, asked about Cannataci’s letter by the press, Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio said, “We are now preparing to respond to the inquiry”.
The Japanese government, on the same day as receiving Cannataci’s letter, criticized his letter as being “inappropriate”, and stated, “Regarding concerns and questions expressed in the letter, the Japanese government is ready to explain its position promptly.” However, even now two months after the statement, the Abe government has not provided a response to Cannataci’s inquiry and has not fulfilled its accountability.
Past related articles:
> Gov’t should sincerely respond to UN expert’s letter on ‘anti-conspiracy’ bill: Lawyer [May 31, 2017]
> Abe gov’t protests against UN expert’s letter critical of ‘anti-conspiracy’ bill [May 23, 2017]
> UN special rapporteur on privacy expresses concern about ‘anti-conspiracy’ bill [May 20 & 21, 2017]
