Japan Press Weekly

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2017 January 25 - 31 TOP3 [WORLD]

Shii: President Trump’s travel ban must be withdrawn

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on January 30 issued a statement, demanding that U.S. President Donald Trump withdraw his travel ban affecting seven Muslim-majority nations.

Full text of Shii’s statement:

U.S. President Trump in his inaugural address said that he will eradicate “radical Islamic terrorism”. Following the speech, he signed an executive order suspending all refugee admissions for 120 days and putting an indefinite halt to Syrian refugees’ entry into the United States. It also imposes a 90-day entry ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and Africa. These measures have elicited confusion and criticism across the globe, becoming a serious international issue.

The entry restriction for refugees and the refusal of admittance of people on the grounds of their beliefs or nationality go against the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees as well as international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Furthermore, such acts will have a serious and negative impact on international efforts to eliminate terrorism. The JCP calls for the swift removal of these restrictions.

In 2006, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the UN “Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy” as the international community’s basic plan to tackle the issue of terrorism. The document reaffirms that “the promotion and protection of human rights for all and the rule of law is essential to all components of the Strategy.” It also states that “terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.”

The measure implemented by President Trump directly contradicts the principle of eradicating transnational terrorism as called for by the UNGA resolution. This measure will not only infringe on international human rights but also seriously run counter to ongoing international anti-terrorism efforts. Trump’s act will only help to increase terrorists.

His executive action has met with fierce criticism by the U.S. Attorneys General of 15 states and Washington, D.C. who issued a joint statement condemning Trump’s unconstitutional and unlawful Executive Order.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also released a statement pointing out that refugees, the most vulnerable people in the world, “should receive equal treatment for protection and assistance, and opportunities for resettlement, regardless of their religion, nationality or race”. The Arab League in its statement says that Trump’s new regulations are “unjustified restrictions” and that the ban could lead to the negative consequences both in Arab societies and in American society.

The leaders of major U.S. allies such as Germany, France, the U.K., and Canada have also expressed criticism and disagreement with Trump’s order.

In contrast, the Abe government stopped short stating its opinion concerning Trump’s presidential decree and only said, “Since it is an U.S. administration decision, the government of Japan will refrain from making any comment but will closely watch the effects of Trump’s order with intense interest” (Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga on Jan.30).

The Abe regime in regard to this critical issue should take a stance of at least questioning the Trump administration decision based on internationally-accepted rationale.

Past related article:
> JCP Chair Shii issues statement on Trump’s presidency [January 22, 2017]