Japan Press Weekly

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2021 April 21 - 27 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

JCP Fujino calls for probe into Sri Lankan woman's death in detention

Japanese Communist Party Dietmember Fujino Yasufumi on April 20 met with representatives of the Sri Lanka Association in Japan and promised that he will make efforts to obtain the whole truth behind the death of a Sri Lankan woman while she was in detention at a Nagoya immigration facility in March.

The woman had been taken into custody by immigration authorities after fleeing from domestic violence and asking the police for help.

Fujino said that the Ministry of Justice has concealed the cause of death and the ministry's explanations are filled with contradictions, adding that he is demanding a thorough investigation by an independent party. He said, "Without finding the facts behind the death, it is unacceptable for the Diet to discuss amendments to the Immigration Control Act."

Gamaethige Anil Priyantha, the vice president of the association, said, "We'd like to have a talk about this issue with the Embassy of Sri Lanka to Japan and the Sri Lankan government."

Present at the meeting, lawyer-turned JCP lawmaker Yamazoe Taku (Upper House) said, "More than anything else, she should have been protected as a DV victim. The problem lies with such peremptory detentions."