Despite Ms. Evatt's testimony and the doubts cast upon the testimony of the police, in January 13, 2006, the District Court of Oita demanded a 150,000 yen fine and that Mr. Oishi's electoral rights be suspended for three years. He appealed the decision of the District Court.
In February 19, 2007, there was a city council election in Bungo-Takada City. In spite of the actions taken by the police against Mr. Oishi, he was elected with more votes than any other city council members, as he had been in the last election. In fact, he received 30% more votes than he had in the last election. The residents of Bungo-Takada obviously consider him an effective and indispensable member of the city council.
In September 7, 2007, the High Court of Fukuoka upheld his conviction but decided to lessen his penalty to simply a 150,000 yen fine and no suspension of electoral rights. The High Court's judgement included the following: "Ms. Elizabeth Evatt's opinion is one of insights about what an election system should be, and isn't able to be equated with the formal view of the UN Human Rights Committee". And, "the Japanese Public Offices Election Law is compatible with articles 19 and 25 of the International Covenants on Human Rights".
Mr. Oishi appealed once more and his case was considered by the Supreme Court of Japan. In January 28, 2008, the Supreme Court of Japan dismissed Mr. Oishi's appeal. The judgment said that "the Japanese Public Offices Election Law is compatible with articles 19 and 25 of the International Covenants on Human Rights". As a result, the 150,000 yen fine against Mr. Oishi was upheld.
We call for an immediate recommendation for the grave violation of human rights occurred successively by the suppression of distributing leaflets in Japan, which is a member of the Human Rights Council.
In Japan entering 21st centuries, the suppression of distributing leaflets like the case of “The White Rose”, which occurred at the Munich University during the Second World War where, by reason of distributing antiwar leaflets, young people were executed by beheading five days after their arrest, takes place successively.
Of course, there exists no such execution in Japan but distributing political leaflets becomes subject to guilty by district courts, high courts and even the Supreme Court.
In February 19, 2007, there was a city council election in Bungo-Takada City. In spite of the actions taken by the police against Mr. Oishi, he was elected with more votes than any other city council members, as he had been in the last election. In fact, he received 30% more votes than he had in the last election. The residents of Bungo-Takada obviously consider him an effective and indispensable member of the city council.
In September 7, 2007, the High Court of Fukuoka upheld his conviction but decided to lessen his penalty to simply a 150,000 yen fine and no suspension of electoral rights. The High Court's judgement included the following: "Ms. Elizabeth Evatt's opinion is one of insights about what an election system should be, and isn't able to be equated with the formal view of the UN Human Rights Committee". And, "the Japanese Public Offices Election Law is compatible with articles 19 and 25 of the International Covenants on Human Rights".
Mr. Oishi appealed once more and his case was considered by the Supreme Court of Japan. In January 28, 2008, the Supreme Court of Japan dismissed Mr. Oishi's appeal. The judgment said that "the Japanese Public Offices Election Law is compatible with articles 19 and 25 of the International Covenants on Human Rights". As a result, the 150,000 yen fine against Mr. Oishi was upheld.
We call for an immediate recommendation for the grave violation of human rights occurred successively by the suppression of distributing leaflets in Japan, which is a member of the Human Rights Council.
In Japan entering 21st centuries, the suppression of distributing leaflets like the case of “The White Rose”, which occurred at the Munich University during the Second World War where, by reason of distributing antiwar leaflets, young people were executed by beheading five days after their arrest, takes place successively.
Of course, there exists no such execution in Japan but distributing political leaflets becomes subject to guilty by district courts, high courts and even the Supreme Court.
