B
buddymate
Amnesty International has called on Japan's new government to immediately implement reforms of the police interrogation system that has resulted in miscarriages of justice.
Suspects can be held for up to 23 days before they are charged in what the campaign group says is a brutal system that has no place in modern Japan.
The conviction rate is more than 99%, often based on confessions (although prosecutors only pursue cases they are confident of winning).
Amnesty International says some are extracted from suspects under duress.
In its manifesto the Democratic Party, which won a general election in August, pledged to introduce full videotaping of interrogations.
This man was caught trying to smuggle two kilograms of cannabis into Japan.
He admits his guilt, but claims he was interrogated for up to 16 hours a day for weeks on end as officers tried to get him to confess to further crimes.
The charity representing this man want to maintain his anonymity with a view to future compensation.
The Japanese police and Ministry of Justice are therefore unable to respond to the allegations he makes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8285593.stm
Suspects can be held for up to 23 days before they are charged in what the campaign group says is a brutal system that has no place in modern Japan.
The conviction rate is more than 99%, often based on confessions (although prosecutors only pursue cases they are confident of winning).
Amnesty International says some are extracted from suspects under duress.
In its manifesto the Democratic Party, which won a general election in August, pledged to introduce full videotaping of interrogations.
This man was caught trying to smuggle two kilograms of cannabis into Japan.
He admits his guilt, but claims he was interrogated for up to 16 hours a day for weeks on end as officers tried to get him to confess to further crimes.
The charity representing this man want to maintain his anonymity with a view to future compensation.
The Japanese police and Ministry of Justice are therefore unable to respond to the allegations he makes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8285593.stm
