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Bangladeshi asylum seeker's handcuffed hospital visit sparks debate

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He is from Bangladesh. Why not cross the border and stay in India or ask for asylum there? Seems strange when these people from random far away countries suddenly decide Japan is the best place for them.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If a person is not a violent-threat criminal, then should be treated with regular human dignity

A jaywalker is violating the law too, but that doesn't automatically treated like a violent-threat criminal

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@602miko Sensei258 was being sarcastic... And by the way, he did NOT "violate the law". He is an assylum seeker, not a criminal.

Yes. And why is this story in the crime section?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Oh, right... if you just cover the handcuffs and the ropes is OK, uh?

So they could be also torture... provided it is according to the law and nobody sees them. COol.

The shower was a Goemonburo, I suppose...

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Is it me or am I seeing a strong bullying undercurrent in the justice system here against foreigners? Of course this isn’t new. What are they trying to prove to the world? They’re making billions off foreigners, they're screaming for foreign labor, yet they treat foreigners as if this nation were doing the world a favor. おかしい.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Like the 99,9% of those asylum seekers in Japan, they are cheating, they just looking for Jobs in another country

And where is your proof?

you go to the most near frontier, not buy a ticket to a far away island.. 

Wouldn't you want to move as far as possible from war, conflict, genocide, famine?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This is a clear view of humanity in the so called developed world. Just imagine in Bangladesh hundreds and thousands of Rohingya refugees took shelter, how many of them are handcuffed? What are the chances of them people to flee? Japan may be rich financially, but extremely poor to realize human value, oppositely Bangladesh is relatively poor, but far apart from the poor human rights nation like Japan.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This is a good example of human rights abuse; I am not going to visit Japan anytime soon.

Don't be put off, Siddha. If enough people speak out against such awful practices, we can make a difference.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This is a good example of human rights abuse; I am not going to visit Japan anytime soon.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

A further irony is that these asylum seekers are displaying exactly the kind of drive, energy, and desire to struggle, improve their situation and succeed that many right wing voters see, when it suits their agenda, as core elements of desirable human behavior.

Well said. The migrants crossing the English Channel are akin to the brave souls fleeing Dunkirk. But instead, they are villified and treated like dirt.

Heavens forbid anyone who demonizes asylum seekers or migrants ever has to face persecution or conflict or simply seek a better life for themselves and their loved ones.

@jpn-guy; thank you & please post more often.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Those who is taking pride mentioning it as poor country should know, BD gained independence with cost of 3m lives barely 47 years ago and progressing steadily everyday since. We're still the 2nd biggest apparel exporter in the world. However, Japan invested a lot here recently since they saw profit shining, they didn't do any charity. If anyone came to japan, it's either by student visa or work visa which is tough since only highly-skilled professionals can obtain that. Now the student visa is too easy to get including a catch, with total cost for a year's language tuition, visa, accommodation it's at least 10,000$ expense for a year. After that, if one can't manage a job/work visa, has to pay same amount for admitting as a student or leave. That amount is too big on some, I assume some people throw it like a risky investment to take a chance to make a living. I reckon He's similar, just tried to make a living and failed. So no need to throw some disrespectful or inane opinions to prove we're becoming inhumane everyday.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I just wonder, cant JP ministry speed up those deportations, this way they will avoid most of the bad press.

I understand they are trying to cut costs by making those "asylum seekers" pay for their own tix, but I would think the bad press + cost of feeding and watching em would be better spent just getting em on lcc back to home country ( or any country they got visa to )

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I am more interested into why exactly is he seeking asylum in Japan from all countries near him , and I am not exactly sure how innocence presumption or court in illegal trials even valid arguments here.

He is detained because he stayed illegally, which means he already broke the law, innocence presumption doesn't apply., in addition he is only detained ( and that is how lenient Japanese immigration is ) after overstaying, being caught, during appeal on the decision of deportation ( already found fit for deportation but fighting it ).

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Poor guy, handcuffed and on a leash in hospital... What a nice human treatment! Omotenashi...

Probably Yakuza treats better...

...Seems, Japan only accepts slaves, mostly as temporary workers, and not refugees...

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@senseiwhatever....Poor country = desperate people ? Feeling good about yourself being born in not so “poor country” and writing stuff online!?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

What debate is there that this sparked? He is a flight risk so needs to be restrained. Just like Ghosn

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Hand cuffs and rope around the waist is standard treatment for Japanese prisoners---many times I've seen prisoners so restrained getting off trains from the country at Ueno Station---if thats the wayJapanese are treated you wouldn't to discriminate by treating foreigners differently---would you?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Japan is not the US or any other country and it can have its own laws and procedures. Not for us to "judge" so much as to recognize the differences. Something we do for China, S Korea and N Korea as well.

But, to be allowed to "visit" in itself deserves to be commended.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

So basically all are detained. But remember folks... detained does not mean that they did anything wrong other than to apply for asylum. So anyone "knowing" that they must have done something wrong is speaking out of their tiny-little-pony.

Right, I agree!

Detention of foreigners at immigration centers is based on administrative rather than criminal procedures, he said.

Yet they are treated as criminals when they are cuffed and led around on a leash. Which is typically reserved for those accused of crimes (even though THAT was found to be a violation of personal rights to a Japanese defendant)

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Japan accepted 20 asylum seekers... The typical Konbini line-up at lunch is longer than that.

-4 ( +9 / -13 )

フフフ。。。"Japan accepted just 20 asylum seekers last year – despite a record 19,628 applications – drawing accusations that the country is unfairly closing its door on people in genuine need." And before you say these numbers are exaggerated...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/16/japan-asylum-applications-2017-accepted-20

AND

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/02/13/national/japan-saw-record-number-refugee-applicants-2017-justice-ministry-says/#.XEFI_lxKiUk

So basically all are detained. But remember folks... detained does not mean that they did anything wrong other than to apply for asylum. So anyone "knowing" that they must have done something wrong is speaking out of their tiny-little-pony.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

The leash is standard procedure. Even our mate Ghosn was sporting one. Safety first ey.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

If the man poses a threat of illegal escape into the country, this treatment is not only warranted but common sense. One only has to look to Europe to see what happens otherwise

6 ( +13 / -7 )

I know the optics look bad, but at least Japan can retain control and sovereignty as a nation unlike some of the European countries and, maybe, the U.S. pretty soon.

6 ( +14 / -8 )

smithinjapan: "Damn... we look bad again. How can we hide it better next time?"

lol. Absolutely nailed it. Ippon!

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

@ 603miko - it is both relevant and necessary to mention that he's from Bangladesh one of the poorest countries because desperate people do desperate things

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Yeah, if "debate" means, "Damn... we look bad again. How can we hide it better next time?" They say "this has sparked debate" every time this or similar things -- like people in detainment dying and being left on the floor, etc. -- happens, which is far too often and never changes.

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

If the guy were a rapist or murderer, then I wouldn't give a damn, but this is an asylum seeker. Isn't being handcuffed to one officer enough? Can the officers not be plain-clothed? He looks like a dog on a leash. Absolutely sickening.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

I just saw the picture. Its so humiliating! It clearly looks like the victim was a dog on a leash! Come on Japan, so many changes are needed!

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

Japan is one of the largest donor countries to Bangladesh.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/region/sw_asia/bangla_o.pdf

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Yep, they love that rope don’t they. It’s quite symbolic actually. Not a great look Japan. Could do with a bit of revision on that one.

-1 ( +13 / -14 )

If you see the photos floating round it looks more like a dog leash.

But even that's beside the point. Cuffed and roped just seems way way over the top for an asylum seeker, esp when going to a public facility.

But as others suggested, this is the norm for Modern Japan, where guilt of some anti-social action is presumed (hence the restraints) and innocence is to be proven.

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

Good to see the authorities taking proper precautions to prevent illegals and asylum seekers fleeing into the country.

0 ( +13 / -13 )

How many posters here would be happy to be treated like this?

-1 ( +13 / -14 )

This is absolutely disgusting. That is all I can say at point.

-7 ( +12 / -19 )

More and more proof that japan is not a country that respects human rights. shameful, backward yes .

-9 ( +12 / -21 )

@Furan Either you have a copy of the "police" report or you are doing nothing but making an uninformed assumption in this particular case. "Those who were deemed clearly not to meet the requirements or have applied many times for asylum in the initial screening can be detained." Surprise! No asylum seekers are ever deemed to meet the requirements.

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

@602miko Sensei258 was being sarcastic... And by the way, he did NOT "violate the law". He is an assylum seeker, not a criminal.

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

In Europe, he would have been able to run away and even get money for every identity he registers. Fellow didn't research beforehand.

Then why did he come to Japan - one of the worst countries to come as an asylum seekers?

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

If he's detained by authorities, then he must have overstayed his visa or broke some form of immigration procedure, something this article cleverly left out. Ergo, 自業自得.

You aren't detained for seeking asylum, nor is it a human rights violation when you prevent someone who, according to past experieces is very likely to flee authorities, from doing exactly that.

In Europe, he would have been able to run away and even get money for every identity he registers. Fellow didn't research beforehand.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

Thanks, Bintaro.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/01/17/national/bangladeshi-asylum-seekers-cuffed-visit-japanese-hospital-sparks-online-debate/

The Japan Times has the picture in its article.

There are at least 3 agents with him, and he is in slippers.

Big risk he would manage to run off... And waste any chance at asylum by the way...

1 ( +14 / -13 )

.@ sensei258 is that really a necessary to say one of the poorest countries in the world? Bangladesh is a Bangladesh it doesn't matter if they were rich or poor, countries. They violate the law they must be lock up.

9 ( +17 / -8 )

Did you even read the article? I guess not, if you had you would know what I am referring to.

I did read the article and I did know to what you were referring, so you guess incorrectly.

If you know to whom human rights apply in Japan, you wouldn't be shocked by this at all.

You sure get arsey when people correct you or try to offer more information and you perceive them to be disagreeing with you, yet you never hesitate to correct others. It's hilarious!

16 ( +19 / -3 )

You may want to research to whom in Japan human rights apply.

Did you even read the article? I guess not, if you had you would know what I am referring to.

-13 ( +6 / -19 )

Shaming the authorities for the manner in which they escort detainees to hospital in order to seek medical treatment seems rather petty and counterproductive, especially considering that the predictable result of this campaign will just be a denial of further hospital visits in borderline cases to avoid similar criticism. Of all the reasons to criticise the Japanese immigration authorities, this seems like it should be near the bottom of the list.

15 ( +25 / -10 )

Right, just reinforce the image that justice in Japan is truly NOT blind! Different system for "us" and "them"!

You may want to research to whom in Japan human rights apply.

-6 ( +11 / -17 )

What i like to know is why he got injured in the first place and why the officials needed to keep such tight security on him. He must have done at least something to warrent such cautioun. 

And you give them, the authorities, the benefit of the doubt, even when the article here states

The immigration bureau said it applies handcuffs and a rope to detainees in accordance with a Justice Ministry ordinance, but it also takes measures to prevent detainees being seen by the public in such restraints. In the photo images, Abdullah's handcuffs were covered.

The "only" thing it seems he was guilty of is seeking asylum here in Japan!

0 ( +18 / -18 )

@ hiro - it doesn't say he was injured. Maybe he made medical complaints thinking he might get a chance to escape at the hospital.

3 ( +21 / -18 )

.@ Hiro.

.

It's a good point.

Why is he seeking asylum?

Is it for religious or political reasons?

15 ( +23 / -8 )

Is not surprising. Because they run off on the first chance they get and the immigrant official will never find them again in the city. What i like to know is why he got injured in the first place and why the officials needed to keep such tight security on him. He must have done at least something to warrent such cautioun.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Not necessary because nobody from Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world, would ever attempt to stay in Japan illegally.

-11 ( +17 / -28 )

In 1995, the Osaka District Court ordered the state to compensate a Japanese defendant in a criminal trial who was walked in handcuffs and a rope during a hospital visit to see an eye doctor, recognizing it as a violation of personal rights. The ruling was later upheld by the Supreme Court.

Right, just reinforce the image that justice in Japan is truly NOT blind! Different system for "us" and "them"!

0 ( +19 / -19 )

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