Mar 1, 2021
The creation of a cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers to establish a Japanese version of the Magnitsky Act creates the opportunity for an Asian response to the human rights violations in Cambodia. Those involved include former Defense Minister Nakatani Gen of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Yamao Shiori of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, as well as members from ruling coalition partner Komeito and the opposition Nippon Ishin party.
That broad base of support for Magnitsky type legislation sends a strong signal in a political culture where consensus is paramount. The global trend toward adopting Magnitsky laws, which allow countries to freeze the assets of and impose travel bans on those who violate human rights, has left free world countries reluctant to be left behind.
It’s Time to Enact Japan’s Magnitsky Act
Such legislation would boost Japan’s credentials as a defender of human rights and practitioner of values-based diplomacy.
By
February 27, 2021
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On January 27, a group met to discuss establishing a multiparty parliamentary group to enact a Japanese version of the Magnitsky Act. The proposed legislation aims to take punitive measures against individuals and organizations involved in human rights violations overseas. The meeting included former Defense Minister Nakatani Gen of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), former State Minister of Finance Toyama Kiyohiko of Komeito (the LDP’s coalition partner), Yamao Shiori of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, and Kushida Seiichi of the conservative opposition Japan Innovation Party.
Japanese ‘Magnitsky Law’ Would Send a Strong Message to Cambodia’s Hun Sen
A Japanese Magnitsky law would allow Tokyo to develop a distinctive Asian voice on human rights and democracy.
By
February 24, 2021
Supporters of the disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party at a protest in Phnom Penh, October 23, 2013.
Credit: Flickr/Jacqui Collis
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The creation of a cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers to establish a Japanese version of the Magnitsky Act creates the opportunity for an Asian response to the human rights violations in Cambodia.
Those involved include former Defense Minister Nakatani Gen of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Yamao Shiori of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, as well as members from ruling coalition partner Komeito and the opposition Nippon Ishin party.