Request for urgent action by UN Special Rapporteurs to urge the Japanese government not to cut off compensation and support to Fukushima evacuees, so as to allow them to decide freely whether or not to return home
NGO Joint Letter
17 February 2017
Dear Ms. Leilani Farha
Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination
Dear Mr. Dainius Pũras
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Dear Mr. Bashkut Tunack
Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the movements and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights
Dear Ms. Cecilia Jimenez-Damary
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
We, undersigned Non-Governmental Organizations hereby request the UN Special Rapporteurs concerned to take urgent action in light of the Japanese government’s impending decision to lift, by March 2017, evacuation orders on areas of Fukushima, Japan, where radiation doses remain above the International Commission on Radiological Protection’s (ICRP) recommended limit for the general public.
This action, in conjunction with the government’s decision to cease critical housing support for evacuees not under a government evacuation order at the end of March 2017 and the loss of compensation payments a year later for those in the areas lifted, would lead to forced relocation into areas that remain unsuitable for human habitation and will violate the human rights of the persons affected.
On account of the urgency of the situation and the fact that many people’s fundamental human rights are at stake, we kindly ask that you give our request your immediate consideration.
Sincerely Yours,
Signed By:
Friends of the Earth Japan Green Action
Greenpeace Japan
Human Rights Now
Contact: 7F 5-3-4 Ueno Taito Tokyo Japan
Kazuko Ito (Ms), Secretary General, Human Rights Now Tel: +81-3-3835-2110