Announcement：Emergency meeting to discuss the issue of hate speech against Kurds

Trailer for “Tokyo Kurds”

Recently, hate speech against Turkish Kurds residing in Japan has spread via the internet and other media, becoming a cause for concern. This urgent meeting is being held to immediately curb the spread of such hate speech.

Hate speech is a severe violation of human rights, trampling on the dignity of those targeted and stripping them of their power to respond or express themselves. Moreover, it can incite hate crimes and harm societal interests.

In June 2016, the Act on the Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unjust Discriminatory Speech and Behavior Against Foreign Nationals Residing in Japan was enacted. However, since hate speech is not explicitly banned, it is fair to say that hate speech regulations in Japan remain inadequate.

In the first part of this meeting, we will screen a short version of the film “Tokyo Kurds,” which closely depicts the lives of Kurds living in Japan, as well as a segment from TBS’s “Hodo Tokushu” focusing on hate speech against Kurds.

In the second part, a discussion will be held featuring representatives from Kurdish support groups, journalists, and lawyers, shedding light on the impact of hate speech on the Kurdish community and its underlying issues. Additionally, multiple lawyers dedicated to eradicating hate speech will share their perspectives on what hate speech regulations should look like.

■ Date and Time:
　Monday, August 26, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (doors open at 5:00 PM)
　※ Online (Zoom) broadcasting will start from 6:35 PM for the second part

■ Event Format
　Part 1: Film Screening at the Venue
　Part 2: Hybrid format combining an in-person and webinar event

■ Venue:
　Lawyer’s Hall “Cleo,” 2nd Floor, Japan Federation of Bar Associations
　1-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0013
　Direct access from Kasumigaseki Station (Marunouchi, Hibiya, and Chiyoda Lines), Exit B1-b
　*Note: There is no elevator at Exit B1-b. For wheelchair users, please use the A1 exit elevator near Sakurada-dori and enter from the 1st floor entrance of the Lawyer’s Hall.
　https://www.nichibenren.or.jp/jfba_info/organization/map.html

■ Admission: Free

■ Registration: No pre-registration required
　Please come directly to the venue on the day of the event.

■ Online (Zoom) Participation:
　Join the event by accessing the URL or Webinar ID on the event page below on the day of the event.
　Materials will also be available on this page.
　https://www.nichibenren.or.jp/event/year/2024/240826.html

■ Program (Tentative)

[Part 1: Film Screening] *No streaming for Part 1.
・Film “Tokyo Kurds” (short version)
・TBS “Hodo Tokushu”

[Part 2: Panel Discussion and Relay Talk]
・Panel Discussion
　Mr. Chikan Wakkas (Representative Director, Japan Kurdish Cultural Association)
　Mr. Tatsuo Nukui (Representative Director, HEVAL)
　Mr. Koichi Yasuda (Journalist)
　Mr. Takeshi Ohashi (Lawyer, Head of the Kurdish Refugee Lawyers’ Group, Special Committee on Human Rights)
・Relay Talk on Hate Speech Issues
　Ms. Yasuko Muroka (Lawyer, Tokyo Bar Association)
　Mr. Hajime Kanbara (Lawyer, Special Committee on Human Rights, Kanagawa Bar Association)
・Report from the Working Group on Racial Hate Speech
　Mr. Takashi Kato (Chair of the Working Group on Racial Hate Speech, Human Rights Protection Committee)

■ Organizer: Japan Federation of Bar Associations
　Co-organizers: Tokyo Bar Association, Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association, Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association, Saitama Bar Association, Kanto Federation of Bar Associations
　Contact:
　Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Human Rights First Division
　TEL: 03-3580-9984

[Notes for Online Participants]

・Required environment for online participation
　A device with internet access, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone
　A stable internet connection
　*We recommend using Wi-Fi for smartphones to ensure a stable connection. Participants are responsible for their internet usage fees.

・About Zoom Webinar
　To participate, you will need to enter your name and email address on Zoom.
　Please review and agree to the Zoom terms of service before participating.
　→Zoom Terms of Service
・Please install Zoom on the device you wish to use in advance.
　→Zoom Installation
・We recommend testing your ability to use Zoom through the link below before the event.
　→Meeting Test

*No support is provided for Zoom services or features.
*If the broadcast is interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances and cannot be restored (over 10 minutes of downtime), we may be forced to terminate the broadcast.
*The JFBA is not responsible for issues related to viewers’ PC environments or internet connections and will not provide support for Zoom usage.
*Please refrain from recording or photographing the broadcast.

Details: https://www.nichibenren.or.jp/event/year/2024/240826.html