On 26 June 2024, Human Rights Now will hold a Human Rights Council side event in Geneva, where the Council’s 56th session will be taking place.
From July to August, 2023, two members of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Ms. Pichamon Yeophantong and Mr. Damilola Olawuyi, conducted an official visit to Japan and had a dialogue with various stakeholders concerning business and human rights.
Their official report was submitted to the 56th UN Human Rights Council. The report emphasizes that “there is an urgent need to fully dismantle structures of inequality and discrimination against at-risk groups”. Further, the report highlights the persistent sexual abuse in the entertainment industry represented by the Johnny Kitagawa case. It also revisits the critical issue surrounding the human rights of people and workers affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, where significant human rights violations have not been tackled despite the call of UN mandate holders.
This event invites Working Group members who will talk about the report and its recommendations. The event also invites a survivor of the Johnny Kitagawa case, as well as an evacuee from Fukushima, and NGO members dedicated to addressing the problems. A Q&A session will follow.
Event Details
[Date] 26th of June, 2024
[Time] 4:15pm~5:45pm (CEST)
[Event format] Hybrid (In-person/Online)
[Venue] Geneva Press Club / Club Suisse de la Presse
Attic Room
[Address]
Domaine de Penthes
Chemin de l’Impératrice 18
1292 Pregny-Chambésy /Geneva
[Registration] https://forms.gle/9TTm7SHaj7bYMrpZ8
[Sponsor] Human Rights Now
[Co-sponsors] Human Rights Watch, Geneva Press Club
[Contact] info@hrn.or.jp
Speakers & Topics
1. Members of the UN Working Group of Business and Human Rights
Report on the 2023 country visit to Japan and recommendations by the UN Working Group
2. Mr. Akimasa Nihongi
1 is 2 Many Action Plans to Eradicate Child Sexual Abuse : Sexual abuse in the entertainment industry
3. Ms. M. Sonoda (Human Rights Now)
The issue concerning the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
4. Mr. Teppei Kasai (Asia program officer, Human Rights Watch)
Major Japanese companies and their ties to serious human rights abuses in China and Myanmar
5. Ms. Kazuko Ito (Vice President, Human Rights Now)
Overall challenge to implement the Business and Human Rights agenda in Japan
Moderator
Mr. Calvin Queant (Geneva Representative, Human Rights Now)