FOCUS ASIA-PACIFIC SEPTEMBER 2009 VOLUME 57 Focus Asia-Pacific Newsletter of the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center (HURIGHTS OSAKA) September 2009 Vol. 57
Contents Editorial
LIBERTY OSAKA: Promoting Human Rights to All Presentation of LIBERTY OSAKA, Japan’s Never to Forget first human rights museum that was initiated by the anti-discrimination movement in Osaka Museums that exhibit the faces and forms of injustice have the - Nobutoyo Kojima Page 2 heavy responsibility of facilitating not merely remembrance but also empowerment. Philippine Museum Honors Resistance to Martial Law The preservation of Tuol Sleng as the “crime scene” of the Discussion of the history and exhibits of Bantayog ng mga Bayani, a human rights Khmer Rouge is meant to prove that torture and execution museum in the Philippines - Bantayog ng mga Bayani Museum existed and to implant the idea that violators should be held Page 5 accountable. Tuol Sleng The presentation of materials from the perspective of A brief yet critical review of Tuol Sleng, a Khmer Rouge torture center converted “oppressed people” by LIBERTY OSAKA aims to remind us into a museum, and its value to that human rights violations, as well as realization, occur in Cambodia in dealing with its past - John Lowrie the most ordinary situations in our lives. Page 8 The honor being given by Bantayog ng mga Bayani to people WPHRE and Human Rights Education Law in Japan: Implications for the Japanese who made great sacrifices in their struggle for human rights Local Governments celebrates the fact that their efforts helped make us see the Update on the implementation of the dawn of freedom. national human rights education action plan in Japan, with a particular focus on a survey of local governments’ support Human rights museums are repositories of memories that tell for the plan us to “never again” suffer the injustices of the past. But these - Kenzo Tomonaga Page 11 museums need not be frozen in time. Human Rights Events in the Asia-Pacific Since the faces and forms of injustice change, these museums Brief information on some important human rights events in the region may adapt to the present contexts, to the new interests of the Page 14 young, to the new technologies of communication, to societal 2009 Study Tour to Jeju, South Korea changes. A short report on the 2009 HURIGHTS OSAKA study tour to Korea Human rights museums are reminders of the injustices that - Nobuki Fujimoto we have to confront now and in the future. Page 15
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LIBERTY OSAKA: Promoting Human Rights to All
Nobutoyo Kojima
group of concerned people in Osaka prefecture in late 19th Basic Philosophy of the Ain Osaka City met in August century. The museum started in Museum 1 9 8 2 t o d i s c u s s t h e a school building built in 1928 establishment of an “Osaka with the financial support of the L I B E R T Y O S A K A w a s Human Rights Historical buraku people in the area.3 established to conduct studies Museum.” They wanted a and research on human rights unique museum that would The school is located in an area, including buraku issues, to present a “viewpoint on human created as Watanabe village collect and preserve related rights through the perspective of (Watanabe mura) in 1706 materials and cultural goods, the history of oppressed during the Edo period and to publicly exhibit them, in people.”1 (1603-1868), where buraku order to contribute to the people worked on the promotion of human rights and The museum was eventually traditional major industries of the development of a established as the Osaka leather tanning and drum “humanity-rich” culture. Human Rights Museum and manufacturing. The area popularly known as LIBERTY produced drums that were used I t a d h e r e s t o f o u r b a s i c OSAKA, the first museum on in Shitennoji, the major temple principles: human rights in Japan. It was in Osaka, as well as in Osaka established in 1985 in Osaka Castle during the 18th century. (1) Comprehensive museum City with the financial support According to documents dating focused on human rights of the governments of the Osaka from around 1881, most of the Out of the more than five Prefecture and City, labor 73,000 drums produced in thousand museums in Japan, unions, civil society Osaka in a year were made in few comprehensively cover organizations, and private Watanabe village. This area was human rights issues rooted in corporations. The largest also called Kawata village (kawa the history and culture of the contributor was the Buraku means leather, or skin) during Japanese society (such as the Liberation League (BLL), the the Edo period, and later buraku history), and aimed at national leveler's movement r e n a m e d N a n i w a w a r d contributing to the promotion established before World War II (Naniwa-ku). Drum-making of human rights as well as the that played a leading role in the remains an industry in Naniwa development of a “humanity- post-War movement against the ward at present with four rich” culture. LIBERTY discrimination of Japanese manufacturers using the old OSAKA, therefore, can be known as burakumin (buraku drum-making techniques. The seen as a comprehensive people).2 area had long been the museum on human rights. residence of buraku people, While based in Osaka, w h o s u f f e r e d s o c i a l Museum Location LIBERTY OSAKA sends out the discrimination from the time the message of respect for human The original building and Watanabe village was rights across the country and location of LIBERTY OSAKA are established till the present. BLL the world. significant in the history of the has been very active in this anti-discrimination movement area. LIBERTY OSAKA’s location (2) Museum that responds to the in Osaka. LIBERTY OSAKA is therefore is very historic in new human rights movement partly housed in one of the relation to the struggle against buildings of Sakae Primary discrimination. LIBERTY OSAKA responds to School, the second oldest the need to eliminate school to have been established discrimination by heightening
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human rights awareness organizations, the cooperation people have to struggle to through its unique functions of the local governments, and enjoy them. What roles do the as a museum. Its activities its status as a foundation. various human rights have in (including exhibitions, our lives? Using multiple meetings and other events, as Exhibits and Projects screens, this Unit shows visual well as educational programs) materials on human rights in provide possible methods and Initially, the exhibits of LIBERTY Japan and the world, as well directions for new human OSAKA were structured around as materials on the right to rights movements, such as the buraku issue. During the work (focusing on karoshi those on human rights 1995-2005 period, however, [death from overwork]), and learning and awareness- LIBERTY OSAKA undertook a the right to education raising. substantial renewal of its (focusing on the phenomenon exhibits by including various of children refusing to go to (3) Museum that promotes the forms of discrimination and school). importance of human rights human rights issues arising from history and culture the current complex social Unit 2: Our Values and conditions in Japan. Discrimination In light of the advancement and diversification of the The current general exhibition Each person has a different cultural needs of people, section is based on the theme sense of values. These values LIBERTY OSAKA has taken "How we face discrimination provide an important basis in the new challenge of and human rights in Japan," and people’s lives. But there are introducing intangible cultural focuses on the discrimination times when these values may assets such as performing arts and human rights issues from p r o v i d e a b a s i s f o r and music that museums have the start of the modern period discrimination. This Unit not done before. This (1868 onward) in Japan, when presents an opportunity for approach likewise reflects the the structure of discrimination visitors to examine how use of songs and dances by of the feudal ages was values give people the people suffering from reorganized, until today. This strength to live, as well as discrimination in expressing section clarifies, from a human h o w t h e y r e l a t e t o anger against, and yearning rights perspective, the social discrimination. for liberation from, it. structure in Japan that created Exhibiting and publicizing discrimination, the efforts of the This Unit examines issues these songs and dances are d i s c r i m i n a t e d p e o p l e related to economic, social important for the promotion of t h e m s e l v e s a g a i n s t and physical statuses by human rights. discrimination, and the looking at ten values, such as discrimination and human "the desire for good academic (4) Creative and participatory rights situation today. Apart achievement" and "desire for museum that promotes from the general exhibition, two good job." voluntary activities special exhibitions as well as Unit 3: The Activism of People other exhibition projects are LIBERTY OSAKA adopts who are Discriminated- organized each year. participatory management as against well as creates new ideas, The general exhibition section P e o p l e w h o s u f f e r awareness and values that consists of four units. Below is a discrimination have diverse help realize human rights and brief introduction of each of opinions and claims. This Unit develop culture using the these units. creativity coming from the shows their economic grassroots activities of the Unit 1: Human Rights Today industries, the cultures they people. LIBERTY OSAKA aims developed, their diverse to gain greater capacity for Human rights are rights that views, and their movements further development through all human beings are born against discrimination. The the combined strengths of the with. Yet there are human visitors can learn the meaning efforts of many private rights that are violated, and of these views and activities.
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This Unit examines the programs for students (from all Future Direction structure of discrimination in school levels and universities) contemporary Japan focusing who visit as part of human LIBERTY OSAKA looks forward on twelve issues, including rights education. LIBERTY to welcoming more visitors issues regarding Korean OSAKA staffs also visit schools from other parts of Asia. To residents, Ainu people and for human rights education achieve this, it is launching in buraku people. using the learning processes 2010 a continuing renewal derived from program program of the general Unit 4: Discrimination, Human implementation experiences exhibition. It plans to use Rights and You and on topics relating to objects multiple languages in its exhibit and materials from the museum. and activity explanations, along People suffering from More and more students show with the use of digital discrimination are not the interest in LIBERTY OSAKA information network. only ones affected by through these educational discrimination and human activities. There are also It also plans to introduce rights. Each person is involved volunteer guides who provide exhibitions and workshops in discrimination or human explanations to the general using experiential methods that rights issues relating to visitors, another educational enable children to effectively education, work and daily activity that leads to a deeper learn human rights. life. Through narrations of understanding of the exhibition different persons, this Unit materials. Nobutoyo Kojima is the shows how people can face Program Manager of LIBERTY discrimination and human Impact rights issues. In this Unit, OSAKA, and member of the Advisory Committee of visitors can watch videos of LIBERTY OSAKA’s regular HURIGHTS OSAKA. victims of discrimination, or museum activities and its work those who are involved in in schools are mutually For further information, please anti-discrimination and stimulating and deepen the contact: LIBERTY OSAKA, human rights activities, understanding of how human 3-6-36 Naniwanishi, Naniwa- narrating their experiences. rights education can be done ku, Osaka City, Japan systematically. 556-0028; ph (816) 6561-589; fax (816) 6561-5995; e-mail: It has collected a significant [email protected]; amount of historical materials, www.liberty.or.jp/topfile/ as well as materials on buraku human-top.htm arts, crafts and movements.
I n t h e t w e n t y - f o u r- y e a r Endnote operation of LIBERTY OSAKA, it 1 has received 1.22 million “Lest We Forget: Osaka Human visitors. Many students learned Rights Museum Planned for 1984,” Buraku Liberation News, Involvement in School about the buraku discrimination for the first time through number 11, October 1982, page Education 3. LIBERTY OSAKA. Some even 2 See “What is Buraku Problem,” The activities of LIBERTY began to aspire to become teachers after the experience of Buraku Liberation and Human OSAKA place particular Rights Research Institute, for the viewing original objects and importance on working with background on buraku educational institutions. materials on display in LIBERTY discrimination, http://blhrri.org/ LIBERTY OSAKA’s specialist OSAKA. They realized that they blhrri_e/What_is_Buraku.htm would not have come across curators provide information, 3 “Lest We Forget: Osaka Human explain the exhibitions, as well this experience in conventional Rights Museum Planned for as give advice and guidance on school education. 1984,” op. cit. the preparation of visitation
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Philippine Museum Honors Resistance to Martial Law
Bantayog ng mga Bayani Museum
“ antayog ng mga Bayani” in of freedom and justice but failed schoolchildren and college Bthe Filipino language means to witness the dawn of freedom. students, hoping to help them “Monument to the Heroes.” It is a understand and learn from the landscaped memorial center A group of Filipinos responded to people's struggle against honoring those individuals who this suggestion and organized the repression. “Never Again!” is a lived and died in defiance of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani recurring theme of the activities repressive regime that ruled over Memorial Foundation. Dr. held at the memorial center. the Philippines from 1972 to Ledivina V. Cariño, former Dean 1986. of the University of the Preserving the Memory Philippines’ College of Public A 14-meter Inang Bayan (Mother Administration, helped draft the Based on a set of criteria for Philippines) Monument designed concept paper based on the selecting persons to be honored, by sculptor Eduardo Castrillo suggestion of Dr. Mallari. The families of victims, members of stands on the grounds of the final concept paper stated the civic organizations, and the memorial center, depicting the rationale for Bantayog Museum: general public are invited to send self-sacrifice of a fallen figure of a the names and personal F r e e d o m h a s d a w n e d man, held in one hand by the magnificently upon us brought circumstances of persons who rising figure of a woman who about by our own will, with the should be honored. A Research symbolizes the Motherland, help of Divine Providence. We and Documentation Committee while her other hand reaches for stood together with linked arms verifies the factual bases of each the glorious sun of freedom. In as we proclaimed our unity, our nomination and conducts the distance stands a Wall of dedication to liberty and independent researches and Remembrance, where the names d e m o c r a c y , a n d o u r investigations, so that the names of martyrs are inscribed. The commitment to our country. of obscure, unknown martyrs in Monument and the Wall of With boundless faith, we broke remote places may be brought to Remembrance were unveiled on the chains which enslaved us in light. The Executive Committee of 30 November 1992.1 a regime of terror, intimidation the Foundation reviews the and fraud. But as we enjoy our recommendations of the In August 2009, the Bantayog ng liberation, let us not forget Committee, and the Board of those who fell during the night. mga Bayani Museum (Bantayog Trustees gives the final approval.2 Museum) completed the first two Let us honor the Filipino years of operation since it opened patriots who struggled valiantly The names of the first sixty-five to the public. Still very much a against the unjust and martyrs, some of them well- repressive rule of Ferdinand work in progress, it has managed Marcos. Let us build a memorial known such as Benigno “Ninoy” nevertheless to merit positive to those men and women who Aquino, Jr. and many others not comments from the public and offered their lives so that we as well-known, were enshrined in the media. may all see the dawn. 1992. The following year, after long reflection, the Foundation Th e I n s p i r a t i o n f o r t h e For as we remember those decided to include as heroes Bantayog Museum victims of authoritarian rule, we those who gave their all for the shall become more vigilant sake of freedom, justice, and After visiting the Philippines about preserving our freedom, democracy during the Marcos immediately after the 1986 defending our rights, and opposing any attempt by years but died after the EDSA People Power Revolution to Revolution. rejoice over the downfall of an anyone to foist another dictatorship upon us. authoritarian regime, Dr. Ruben Since then, hundreds of heroes Mallari, a Filipino-American In honoring our martyrs, we and martyrs of the martial law medical doctor, suggested the proclaim our determination to dictatorship have been honored establishment of a memorial to be free forever. by their names being inscribed on the black granite Wall of h o n o r t h o s e m a r t y r s wh o The Bantayog Museum aims to sacrificed their lives for the cause Remembrance. r e a c h o u t m a i n l y t o
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Right behind the Wall of the 1960s (mass poverty, abusive Meanwhile, a Hall of Remembrance is the Jovito R. government officials, violation of Remembrance beside the Salonga Building, which is civil liberties) that gave rise to Bantayog Museum is dedicated to named after a distinguished popular discontent especially of the heroes and martyrs, through political leader who fought the youth. the capsule biographies and against the authoritarian regime. individual photos of each one. Salonga continues to add his Methods of torture are This section is meant to inspire powerful voice to the democratic documented, and the model of a love and respect for their sacrifice people's movement clamoring for prison cell draws much attention for the common good, especially human rights, justice and the rule from visitors. in the minds and hearts of young of law. people. The Bantayog Museum occupies Other activities more than a hundred square meters of space on the second Conscious that many other floor of the Jovito R. Salonga aspects of the martial law period Building. On the same floor is are not yet included in the the Ambassador Alfonso T. permanent display, the Bantayog Yuchengco Auditorium where Museum has been mounting film showings are presented, and special exhibits from time to programs are held. It is named time. One of these was a special after the Foundation's tribute to the late President Chairperson, a prominent Corazon Aquino, who assumed businessman and philanthropist the presidency right after the who has served as the country's Photo courtesy of Traveler on Foot downfall of the Marcos ambassador to China and Japan. (http://traveleronfoot.wordpress.com) dictatorship, and whose recent demise prompted a massive A library is now open on the There is a growing collection of outpouring of emotions and fresh ground floor of the same memorabilia from the period of insights into her legacy of public building. It contains archives and resistance, including service. Another special exhibit reference materials relating to the underground publications, the showed the works of Philippine same period, and has begun to “mosquito press,” reports from artists done in the Social Realist serve students and scholars the various civil-society groups style, some of which were wishing to do research. emerging at the time, and painted during the martial law expressions of international Awakening a Sense of History period and others depicting how solidarity. The families and today's realities mirror those of By displaying authentic material friends of the heroes and martyrs yesterday. objects associated with the donate much of the Bantayog Museum’s material collections. Concerts and story-telling are heroes and martyrs, as well as among the other activities with the period of dictatorship, Through the years of repression, conducted by the Bantayog the Bantayog Museum hopes to opposition to the Marcos regime Museum. It may be noted that awaken in its visitors a powerful kept growing and broadening since the Bantayog Memorial sense of history as it was actually until the shocking assassination Center hosts numerous programs, made by real-life men and of the political leader Benigno seminars, etc. by various civil- women. Aquino, Jr. upon his return to the society groups, the latter are also While concentrating principally Philippines from exile in the drawn to visit the Bantayog on the period itself of Marcos rule United States. The ensuing Museum. It is hoped that with (1972 to 1986), the collection nationwide protests have been more support from the private and displays also include the well documented, culminating in sector and the general public, periods immediately before (from the world-famous “People Power more resources will be generated 1965) and after (1986-87) in Revolution” that finally drove the t h a t w i l l a l l o w t h e order to place the dictatorship dictator out in February 1986. implementation of so many ideas and the corresponding people's This event is brought to life in the that cry out to be done. Bantayog Museum with the scale resistance in their historical Volunteers are the backbone of context. model of a military tank, stopped in its tracks and covered with the staff, a unique aspect of the Thus, the pre-martial law section flower petals showered by the Bantayog Museum and Library. deals with the economic, people gathered to press for the Many of them were part of the political and social problems of ouster of Marcos. people's movement against
6 FOCUS ASIA-PACIFIC SEPTEMBER 2009 VOLUME 57 martial law, and are thus able to It is mainly because of favorable Foundation observes its 25th impart an unforgettable personal media coverage over the past two anniversary, the Bantayog touch as they guide visitors years that these schools (and the Museum (and library) envisions around the exhibits. Others are tour operators) have come to itself to be “a leading student volunteers with a know about the Bantayog organization on the martial law particular appreciation of the Memorial Center. Bloggers have years, or the leading history of the period. Conscious been a good source of organization.” of the need to equip themselves information and promotion, as with the requisite professional well. The words of Senator Salonga sum up what Bantayog Museum and technical skills, they have 5 been taking part in a museology The Philippine press sees the will continue to aim at: training program consisting of Bantayog Museum as a timely reminder of the dangers of we shall proclaim our firm visits, seminars and workshops resolve to keep faith with our offered by the country's foremost forgetting the past. “At last a martyrs and heroes and our museum for rare courage,” read deepest conviction that this institutions along this line, led by 3 the National Museum. one headline. One columnist land of the morning, the said, “…(S)pend a nice Sunday repository of our hopes and Admission to the Bantayog afternoon there, while the dreams, is worth living for and Museum is free, although breezes blow and the sun shines, dying for. donations are welcome. Its looking at the names carved on operations are supported and the Wall of Remembrance, which For further information please guided by a Board of Trustees belong to those who did contact: Bantayog ng mga Bayani headed by the top businessman something heroic for us in more Museum, 2nd floor of J.R. Alfonso T. Yuchengco recent times, which claimed Salonga Bldg., Bantayog (Chairperson) and the human- many of their lives, and which is Memorial Center, Quezon rights lawyer Jovito R. Salonga why the breezes blow, and the Avenue corner EDSA, Quezon (Chairperson Emeritus), with 4 sun shines for us today.” Not a city, Metro Manila, Philippines, Quintin S. Doromal as Executive few have commented, though, ph/fax (632) 434-8343; e-mail: Director. that this is still a small museum [email protected]; with fewer items than the bigger http://bantayog.wordpress.com. Making an Impact ones; others have noted the “little shop of horrors” aspect which are Of the more than seven thousand perhaps an unpleasant reminder visitors who have come to the Endnotes of the martial law period's 1 Based on The story of Bantayog Bantayog Memorial Center so far, atrocities. a good number is composed of Foundation: Remembering the martial law martyrs and heroes, ex-activists who are now parents Future direction and grandparents themselves a v a i l a b l e i n Often, they come in groups to Building up the Bantayog http://bantayog.wordpress.com/ relive the time when they put Museum's collections, as well as about/. 2 Ibid. their own lives at stake for the properly organizing them with a 3 Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, “At last, a sake of “truth, freedom, justice digitized information system, is museum for rare courage,” The and democracy” – the the focus of work in the short to Philippine Daily Inquirer, avail- watchwords of Bantayog Museum medium term. At the same time, a b l e i n even today. the work of educating the public http://services.inquirer.net/print/ about the Bantayog Museum and print.php?article_id=20070226-5 However, students at all levels its chief concerns should be 1611. (primary, secondary and tertiary) addressed through more special 4 Conrado de Quiros, “Museum,” make up the majority of visitors. exhibits, lecture series, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Because Philippine history is part conferences and such. A very a v a i l a b l e i n of the academic curriculum, important complementary task is http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquir schools organize annual to dig deeper into the sources of eropinion/columns/view/200708 educational tours of which the 29-85263/Museum. information about martial law; an 5 Bantayog Museum is increasingly oral history project must be Statement of Senator Jovito Sa- a part. It is not an uncommon started while participants during longa during the 1992 unveiling sight to see tour buses lined up at of the Inang Bayan Monument the period are still around to and Wall of Remembrance, avail- the entrance to the Bantayog remember and to recount. Memorial Center, loaded with a b l e i n hundreds of students and their By the year 2011, when the http://bantayog.wordpress.com/ teachers all waiting for their turn. Bantayog ng mga Bayani keeping-faith/.
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Tuol Sleng
John Lowrie
uol Sleng Museum in Phnom exactly how it had been Tuol Sleng is now the TPenh is an unlikely museum. abandoned by its erstwhile responsibility of the Government It is where as many as 17,000 or custodians, including leaving the of Cambodia through a Secretary more people were incarcerated, corpses of its final victims to rot. of State at the Council of tortured, and then systematically Vietnamese authorities soon Ministers responsible for national killed during the Khmer Rouge realized the significance of their archives and of its Department of rule from April 1975 to January find and appointed an expert, Museums. UNESCO provides 1979. The museum’s outward Mai Lam, to take charge of it and important technical support. appearance was then, and to document its archives. Although it is clear that Tuol remains today, that of a typical Sleng will be preserved for the Cambodian school, but it is Tuol Sleng is therefore much foreseeable future, its long-term ominously different as soon as more than a museum testifying to future in inextricably bound up you enter, in its silence, in its a macabre chapter of history. It is with the outcome of the Khmer foreboding. It was a typical to this day a largely intact crime Rouge trial and Cambodia’s secondary school once, but not scene with evidence of mass internal debate about how to deal any more and never again, not atrocities and much more. It has with this dark chapter of its even in a country desperately been the repository of vital history. So far Tuol Sleng is short of school buildings. Never evidence carefully conserved first largely untouched, remaining in again will it see crowds of blue by Mai Lam, and to this day by its original simplest form. Even and white uniformed school-boys the Documentation Center of plans to improve some facilities and girls. Nor will it buzz with Cambodia and supporting for visitors have brought much the familiar chatter of children organizations. That evidence is resistance, but the Government and their rote-learning chants that now playing a vital role in the recognizes that it is in need of once emanated from its eerie Extraordinary Chambers in the some essential repair, which must classrooms. Instead you are Courts of Cambodia, the United be done in ways that do not ushered in with the same signs Nations-backed special court destroy its authenticity. Really a and their stark warning that now sitting to judge those most new facility will be needed to be greeted its many victims such as: responsible for the tragedies of able to conserve artefacts and Khmer Rouge rule. Tuol Sleng displays for posterity, but even Do nothing! Sit still and images, the museum’s exhibits, then, it is unlikely that Tuol Sleng wait for my orders. If there are not just historical artifacts, but will emulate other museums to are no orders, keep quiet! in mid-2009, they are brought to attract and entertain visitors. Such When I ask you to do life again in vivid and startling peripheral facilities, for visitors to something, you must do it witness testimony. The evidence engage “interactively”, will not r i g h t a w a y w i t h o u t comes from no less a figure than be welcomed in the near future, protesting. the man in charge at the time, not until that debate is concluded with his extraordinary which may take several more The Start of a Museum admissions, and by those of the generations. Anything that very few survivors of his detracts from the simple chilling The travesty of what went on in stewardship. Kaing Guek Eav's images and recollections would Tuol Sleng was undoubtedly the (alias Duch) is the first Khmer be seen as insensitive while product of an extreme Rouge leader to face trial. Tuol people who survived the period Cambodian leadership but its Sleng, he confesses, with its live on with their painful discovery and preservation is due linked facility ten kilometers memories, nightmares and to the Vietnamese whose army, away, known as Choeung Ek traumas. One entrepreneur with dissident Cambodian forces, Killing Fields, was indeed a learned this the hard way in overthrew the Khmer Rouge in center of extermination; the top 2008. He tried to recreate not far 1979. Two of their photo- one of hundreds for the Khmer away a Khmer Rouge style journalists first entered Tuol Rouge, not seen since the Nazi canteen, complete with the Sleng. They saw and recorded death camps of the Holocaust. typical meal of meager gruel,
8 FOCUS ASIA-PACIFIC SEPTEMBER 2009 VOLUME 57 eating implements and attire of free for Cambodians, for whom it Impact of the Museum the period, as if by now there is a solemn pilgrimage visit; often would be some kind of nostalgia personal and intimate, sometimes Tuol Sleng Museum will stay for it. His idea aroused universal a search for an unknown aspect devoted to the history of one revulsion; if the authorities had of their identity. Whether short tragic period, and what not ordered it closed, it would foreigner or Cambodian, all happened in one place, but its have been a commercial failure. visitors are emotionally moved role in this sense as a place of once there. After the somber learning should not be under- 2 Tuol Sleng does stand on its own warning signs are heeded, there estimated. It cannot, it does not, as a memorial, the unique are four buildings to visit. and will never answer the symbolic edifice of the Khmer Buildings A, B, and C are similar question that is most often asked; Rouge rule where any detractor with several storeys, and barbed the same question it is hoped that likely to pose a threat was purged wire on upper floors put there the Khmer Rouge Trials will most mercilessly. A salient feature apparently to prevent inmates answer, which is simply – “Why?” of Tuol Sleng is that apart from from suicide attempts. There are Cambodians want an answer. the stories coming from its only numerous cells, made of brick or They need to come to terms with six survivors, with the paintings wood dividing up the former this the darkest of periods in their of one, Van Nath, appearing there classrooms. They were used not history. They are beginning to do 3 depicting the horrors, visitors are just for incarceration but also this. l e f t t o d r a w t h e i r o w n torture. Pictures can be seen of impressions based on what they bodies once on the metal beds However, some Cambodians see and feel. There are few of the still standing there. Blood stains (who are not considered usual narrative descriptions seen on the floor, boxes in the corner members of the Khmer Rouge) in most museums. There are for human waste, are still there. raise the idea that Tuol Sleng was literally no stories at all of the In some rooms there are boards “invented out of whole cloth by victims; how or why they ended displaying photographs of the Vietnamese, so as to blacken up there, and unlike for example victims, with pictures depicting the reputation of the Cambodian Holocaust sites, there are no atrocities such as electrocution, people and to indict them en personal possessions, no material shackles, scorpion stings, and masse for genocidal crimes.” evidence of lives once lived and even babies removed from their finally lost there. Apart from a mother’s womb only to be To this, David Chandler, a few clothes, no mementoes were historian on Cambodia, has this crushed against the walls. 4 left. Visitors do not need a guide Reminders say that many of the response: to internalize the experiences, “guards” were just teenage although if one does accompany I always replied to them that I children brainwashed and believe that their suggestions them, he or she will not only act desensitized to the brutality. were mistaken. The effort to as an escort but also be able to Building D was the main invent S-21, I think, would have add his or her personal interrogation center, next to the been far too costly for the dimension. Hardly any family in guard’s quarters.1 Vietnamese, and far too Cambodia escaped unscathed in complicated. The Vietnamese that time. For Cambodians who find the last did not have the resources, for trace of their lost relatives in Tuol example, to compose the The Exhibits Sleng, it is the saddest of shrines, documents discovered in the knowing that the flesh and blood S-21 archives (and thousands of Tuol Sleng, also known as S21 of their own kith and kin was others related to S-21, after the district in which it is spilled in very the rooms where discovered elsewhere in Phnom found, is just a kilometer from Penh after the Vietnamese they are standing. For that reason, withdrew), to invent the names central Phnom Penh, near the it does make Tuol Sleng one more usual shopping centers, markets, and backgrounds of workers at place in the world where the the prison, to fake the hotels and tourist sites. It is human race must be reminded of inevitably a “must-see” on the photographic evidence, and to its tragic past. It will never be invent biographies for the dark tourist trail, with up to five managed in the same way as for survivors and former workers at hundred domestic and foreign example the Silver Pagoda the facility. Moreover, had they visitors daily, although their museum in Phnom Penh that sets mounted such an operation, it reasons for going are quite out Cambodia’s long and at times seems likely that someone who different. Foreigners usually feel glorious history, including the participated in it would have compelled to exercise a natural famous Angkor Wat era. talked about it, especially after morbid fascination. They pay the Vietnamese withdrew their modest admission charges. It is forces in l989.
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Thun Saray, prominent human example by Transcultural 9 3 1 3 0 1 ; e - m a i l : rights leader in Cambodia and Psychosocial Organisation (TPO) n h s @ c a m i n t e l . c o m , who personally lived through the shows that not only has trauma [email protected]; horrors, says of Tuol Sleng: stayed with survivors, but also its www.newhorizonsunlimited.org; pervasiveness is manifested in and see his recent article: F o r C a m b o d i a n s , a n d later generations. That cycle must www.scribd.com/doc/11621086/ international visitors as well, be broken. The-Name-of-the-Game-is- this place should be a memorial Sustainability-but-Does-the-Last- place. The experience of visiting Future Direction Player-Count-by-John-Lowrie this place where so many people suffered and died; where If lessons of history are learned photographs of torture, prisons and acted upon, then the cause Endnotes cells, and more should remind of universal human rights will be 1 people of the horrible times and advanced. Tuol Sleng shows For a more detailed room by that things like this will not be graphically how Khmer Rouge room guide, please visit: forgotten and will not happen
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WPHRE and Human Rights Education Law in Japan: Implications for the Japanese Local Governments 1
Kenzo Tomonaga
uman rights education and 1,870 local governments in Japan o n L P H R E A f o r l o c a l Hhuman rights awareness- in September 2007. 1,450 local residents, and less than half raising play a vital role in governments (77.5% of the total) (678 or 46.7%) said ‘No.’ promoting human rights and in sent valid responses. Four local governments did eliminating all forms of not respond to this question. The survey questionnaire covered discrimination including Buraku (ii) Plans based on LPHREA discrimination. training programs, and specific plans. For LPHREA, the This is the most important Eight years have passed since the questionnaire also covered local item among the questions in Law on the Promotion of Human government supporting structure the survey. Among all local Rights Education and Human and reporting of activities governments that responded, Rights Awareness-Raising undertaken; and for WPHRE and 234 (16.2%) said “Yes, we (LPHREA) was enacted in Japan,2 UNDSD, specific plans for Dowa have a plan based on while almost five years have education and awareness-raising. LPHREA,” 192 (13.2%) said passed since the United Nations “We have a plan which is started both the World The responses of the local considered to be based on Programme for Human Rights governments are summarized LPHREA,” and 1,021 (70.4%) Education (WPHRE) and the into the following: said “No, we do not have Decade of Education for such a plan yet.” Five local Sustainable Development A. Activities and initiatives made governments did not respond (UNDESD) in January 2005. by local governments to this question. regarding LPHREA From among the 426 local The Japanese government has governments that responded been issuing since 2002 its (i) Training and publicity activities annual White Paper on Human based on LPHREA that they have either a plan b a s e d o n L P H R E A o r Rights Education and Awareness- Almost half (715 or 49.3%) considered to be based on it, Raising that describes various of the responding local two prefectures (Hyogo human rights education activities governments said that they P r e f e c t u r e a n d O i t a and initiatives undertaken in each offered training programs for Prefecture) said that they year. However, the Japanese local local government employees, have both. From these governments have not issued while another half (734 or confused responses of two such reports yet. In this context, 50.6%) said ‘No’. One local p r e f e c t u r e s , w e m a y the Buraku Liberation and government did not respond conclude that only 424 out Human Rights Research Institute to this question. (BLHRRI) surveyed the local of 1,870 local governments Less than half (672 or 46.3%) governments regarding the (22.7%) have specific plans of the local governments said implementation of their based on LPHREA. that they offered training commitments under LPHREA, (iii) View of local governments programs for teachers, while WPHRE and UNDESD. This without any plans yet a slightly more than half (756 paper provides a synopsis of the or 52.1%) said ‘No.’ Four Among the local survey findings and a number of local governments did not governments that do not proposals for the future.3 respond to this question. have such a plan yet, 107 (10.5%) said that they would Slightly more than half (768 Survey Findings be formulating a plan based or 53.0%) of the local on LPHREA, 298 (29.2%) BLHRRI sent a survey governments said they held said that they were currently questionnaire to each of the public information activities
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considering making such a (i) Training and publicity on 1,023 (73.9%) say that they do plan, and 608 (59.5%) said WPHRE not have such an intention. that they do not have such To the question on whether or Seven local governments did an intention. Eight local not they have offered training not respond to this question. g o v e r n m e n t s h a v e n o programs on the WPHRE for response on this point. C. Efforts made by local local government employees, governments regarding (iv) Government structure to 82 local governments (5.7%) UNDESD promote the LPHREA-based said ‘Yes,’ and 1,322 (91.1%) plan said ‘No.’ Forty-six local (i) Training and publicity on The second important aspect in governments did not respond UNDESD to this question. promoting human rights To the question on whether or education and awareness- 134 local governments (9.2%) not they have offered training raising by local governments is said that they have training programs on the UNDESD for that they have an official program on WPHRE for local government employees, structure or a task force to teachers, while 1,276 (88.0%) 46 local governments (3.2%) promote the LPHREA-based said that they have no such said ‘Yes,’ while 1,373 (94.7%) plan. Among the local training program. Forty local said ‘No’, and 31 gave no g o v e r n m e n t s t h a t h a v e governments did not respond r e s p o n s e . 6 8 l o c a l LPHREA-based plans, 299 to this question. governments (4.7%) said that (70.4%) have such a task force, Also, 81 local governments they have had training while 120 (28.4%) do not have (5.6%) said that they have programs on UNDESD for such plan. Five local conducted public information teachers, while 1,339 (92.3%) governments did not respond activities on WPHRE for local said that they do not have such to this question. residents, while 1,349 (93.0%) a program. Forty-three local (v) Promotion structure said that they have not done governments did not give a including academic experts so. Twenty local governments response. and representatives of local did not respond to this Also, 51 local governments r e s i d e n t s f o r t h e question. (3.5%) said that they have implementation of LPHREA- (ii) Plans based on WPHRE conducted public information based plans activities on UNDESD for local Among the local governments residents, while 1,372 (94.6%) Among the local governments that have responded, 10 (0.7%) that have LPHREA-based plans, said that they have not done said, “we have a plan directly so. Twenty-seven local 257 (60.5%) have promotion based on WPHRE,” 45 (3.1%) structures that include governments did not give a said “we have a plan which is response. academics and local residents, considered to be based on while 161 (38.1%) do not WPHRE,” and 1,384 (95.4%) (ii) Plans based on UNDESD include them. Six local said, “we do not have any such Among the local governments governments did not respond plans yet” (eleven local to this question. that have responded, 4 (0.7%) governments did not respond said “we have a plan directly ( v i ) R e p o r t s o n t h e to this question). Thus, only 55 based on UNDESD,” 28 (3.1%) implementation of plans based local governments have plans said “we have a plan which is on LPHREA either directly based on or considered to be based on Among the local governments considered to be based on UNDESD,” 1,393 (95.4%) said that have LPHREA-based plans, WPHRE. “we do not have any such 72 (16.9%) have published (iii) View of local governments plans yet,” with 25 local reports on the implementation without any plans yet governments not giving a response to this question. of such plans, while 341 Among the local governments (80.5%) have not done so. A m o n g t h o s e l o c a l that said that they do not have governments that have no such Eleven local governments did such a plan yet, 22 (10.5%) not respond to this question. plans yet, 7 (0.5%) said, “we said that they are going to are going to formulate a plan B. E f f o r t s m a d e by l o c a l formulate a plan based on based on UNDESD, 292 governments regarding WPHRE, 232 (24.0%) said that (20.9%) said “we are currently WPHRE they were considering considering about such a adopting such a plan, and plan,” and 1,082 (77.6%) said
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that they do not have such an that their significance would (9) Local governments should i n t e n t i o n . S e v e n l o c a l be more widely recognized. f o r m u l a t e p l a n s a n d governments did not give a (2) All local governments should programs for concrete response to this point. formulate plans based on human rights issues such as these initiatives. basic plans/programs for D. Guidelines and basic plans for D o w a e d u c a t i o n a n d Dowa education (3) Local governments that awareness-raising along with already have plans should human rights education and As the recommendation from the publicly report on the status awareness-raising plans/ Area Improvement Measures of their implementation on a programs. Council rightly pointed out in regular basis. May 1996, it is necessary to (10) Grassroots movements create and expand human rights (4) All local governments should should be built up to education based on the many establish a task force for the promote LPHREA, WPHRE years of Dowa education promotion of these plans and and UNDESC with the experiences. It must be noted actions consisting of the participation of wide-ranging also that 1) Buraku discrimination governor/mayor and all organizations, groups and still exists; 2) it is important to section representatives, and individuals. study deeply about the Buraku which should hold meetings discrimination issue; and 3) on a regular basis. Mr. Kenzo Tomonaga, the former Dowa education should be (5) All local governments should Director of the Buraku Liberation situated as a vital pillar of human set up an advisory body and Human Rights Research rights education in view of the consisting of academic Institute, is now a member of the leading role it historically plays experts and representatives Board of Directors of the institute. for the advancement of human of local residents (including rights education. those representing the For further information, please discriminated-against). The contact: Mr. Kenzo Tomonaga, c/ From such a viewpoint, we asked advisory body should hold o Buraku Liberation and Human whether local governments have meetings regularly to come Rights Research Institute, 1-6-12, basic plans and/or policies for up with proposals for the Kuboyoshi, Naniwa-Ku, Osaka Dowa education. 296 (20.4%) f o r m u l a t i o n a n d City, Japan 556-0028; ph (816) responded ‘Yes,’ while 1,137 improvement of the plan. 6568 0905; fax (816) 6568 (78.4%) said ‘No’ and 17 did not 0714; e-mail: [email protected]; respond. Among local (6) The local government plan www.blhrri.org governments that have no such should include concrete plans/policies, 24 (2.1%) are programs for the solution of various human rights issues going to formulate such a plan/ Endnotes policy, 230 (20.2%) are currently including the B u r a k u discrimination issue. 1 Professor Yasumasa Hirasawa of considering adopting such a plan, Osaka University translated this 875 (77.0%) do not have such an (7) The local government plan article from Japanese language intention, and 8 gave no should include programs for into English language. response. human rights education and 2 awareness-raising in all The English translation of LPHREA Future Issues places including the school, is available at http://blhrri.org/ blhrri_e/news/new117/ community, home, and the new11701.html The following issues have to be workplace. considered in the call for more 3 The full report on the survey (8) The local government plan findings is available in Japanese commitment and action in the should include human rights years to come: language at http://blhrri.org/ training programs for public kenkyu/data/survey_on_HRE/ (1) Local governments should officials and professionals index.htm offer training programs for s u c h a s g o v e r n m e n t t h e i r e m p l o y e e s a n d employees, teachers, police teachers, and conduct public officers, medical and welfare information activities for practitioners who are deeply local residents on such engaged in human rights initiatives as LPHREA, issues. WPHRE and UNDESD so
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Human Rights Events in the Asia-Pacific
he 14th Annual Meeting of the situation in Iran, and Taiwan, and traditionally dominated by TAsia Pacific Forum (APF) on advocacy at the International men Human Rights1 discussed a Coordinating Committee (ICC) of - Women having equal access number of issues including National Institutions for the to health care services human rights and corruption, Promotion and Protection of - Women and men human rights and religion, and Human Rights. The workshop had participating equally in human rights defenders. On the forty-four participants from household duties, such as issue of human rights and various countries. The Amman taking care of children or the corruption, the APF members Center for Human Rights Studies elderly "committed to undertake practical in cooperation with Forum Asia, - Rural women, indigenous measures to combat corruption the International Women’s Rights w o m e n , H I V p o s i t i v e using a human rights based Watch-Asia Pacific, the women, migrant women, approach and to promote International Services for Human refugee women and other awareness of the close linkages Rights and The Foundation For often excluded groups of between corruption and human the Future organized the women enjoying these rights. rights and the harmful effects of workshop. 4 corruption on the enjoyment of Seven photos will be chosen as civil, political, economic, social Photo contest on CEDAW winners and exhibited on 25 and cultural rights." On the issue The Asia Pacific Regional November 2009 at the opening of human rights, religion and Coordination Mechanism of the exhibition "Women CAN: belief, the APF members Thematic Working Group on Women's Rights are Human considered the "need for inter and G e n d e r E q u a l i t y a n d Rights" to be held in Bangkok, intra faith dialogue [at national, Empowerment of Women, co- and featured on the websites of regional and international levels] chaired by UNESCAP and the UN agencies involved in to promote mutual understanding UNIFEM, is holding a photo organizing the contest. Entries and the protection and promotion contest to celebrate the thirtieth should be submitted on 15 of human rights and the value of anniversary of the Convention on October 2009 at the latest. For using a human rights approach to the Elimination of All Forms of more information please visit: balance potentially competing Discrimination Against Women. www.cedawphotocontest.org. rights."2 The Jordan National The photos should depict any of Centre for Human Rights hosted the following: Endnotes the meeting with the co- - Women participating in sponsorship by the APF and the decision-making processes, 1 The APF has the national human Office of the High Commissioner rights institutions (NHRIs) of 3 such as women exercising for Human Rights. their right to vote and the Jordan, Afghanistan, Australia, right to be elected, taking India, Indonesia, Malaysia, NGO Parallel Conference Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New part in peace negotiations Zealand, Palestine, Philippines, A parallel "Arab and Asia-Pacific a n d p o s t - c o n fl i c t NGO Workshop on the Role of Qatar, Republic of Korea, Sri reconstruction processes, Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste as National Human Rights holding leadership positions Institutions in the Promotion and members. in the government, civil 2 14th Annual Meeting of the Asia Protection of Human Rights" was society, community, private Pacific Forum, C o n c l u d i n g held on 2 August 2009 in sector Statement. Amman. The workshop discussed - Women participating in post- 3 Asia Pacific Forum website, http:// the basic roles and functions of disaster rehabilitation and www.asiapacificforum.net/about/ national human rights institutions reconstruction initiatives annual-meetings/14th- based on the Paris Principles, the - Women and girls enjoying jordan-2009/?searchterm=Amman challenges facing human rights %20meeting the same opportunities for 4 Based on report in the Amman defenders in the Arab & Asia- education as men and boys Pacific, and the establishment of Center for Human Rights Studies NHRIs in the Arab & Asian - Women enjoying the same (ACHRS) website: www.achrs.org/ regions. The NGO representatives employment opportunities english/index.php? also discussed the human rights and labor rights as men, and option=com_content&task=view&i working in sectors that are d=165&Itemid=59
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2009 Study Tour to Jeju, South Korea
Nobuki Fujimoto
URIGHTS OSAKA organized, more than ten meters deep into Endnotes Hin cooperation with the Kobe the sea. The hard life of these 1 Migration in the context of Jeju Student Youth Center, a study tour women divers symbolized Jeju island refers to both voluntary and to Jeju island in South Korea from island. They migrated to other “forced” migrations. Voluntary 25 to 29 August 2009 to learn parts of Korea and to foreign migration covers both the colonial- 1 era movement of people from Jeju about its history of “migration.” countries (especially to Japan) Island to Japan to find work at their Jeju island is southwest off the diving for marine products and own initiative, and the more recent Korean peninsula. their income supported the movement of people from other countries (particularly Southeast Jeju island has close historical island's economy. There are also records showing their Asian countries and China) to work ties with Osaka where the biggest involvement in the anti-Japanese in Jeju island. Forced migration on community of Korean residents in the other hand refers to the Japan is found. Koreans had been movement in the 1930s. compulsory deployment of Korean migrating to Osaka since the start At the Jeju Immigrant Center, the workers by the Japanese colonial of the Japanese colonial period in group met and talked with the government during the latter part of the second world war. This latter the early 20th century. Majority Director, Mr. Kim Jeong Woo, type of migration, however, of them came from Jeju island and staff members of various remains a debatable point among partly because of the availability nationalities. The Center provides Japanese historians. of regular shipping service migrants (both migrants married 2 A summary of the final report of between Jeju island and Osaka at to Koreans and migrant workers) the Korean National Committee for Investigation of the Truth about the that time. There are historical from China, Vietnam, Philippines, Jeju April 3 Incident (available in records that show that one-fourth Cambodia, etc, with consultation www.jeju43.go.kr/english/ of the Jeju population migrated to service, Korean language and sub05.html) states that the “Jeju Japan, particularly to Osaka, to culture classes, and emergency April 3 Incident was a series of work in factories and other jobs shelter. events in which thousands of during the colonial period. islanders were killed as a result of The group learned that the Jeju clashes between armed civilian The thirty-member study group Immigrant Center fulfils its aim of groups and government forces. It consisted of NGO activists, making the foreign migrants live took place over the period from academics, students, concerned together with the Koreans by March 1, 1947, when the National Police opened fire on protesters, citizens, and Korean residents in protecting and promoting their and April 3, 1948, when members Osaka whose grandparents came rights through exchange of of the Jeju branch of the South to Japan during the Japanese information and views on the Korean Labor Party began an colonial rule. issue. uprising to protest against oppression by the National Police The group visited a women divers The Jeju island study tour was the and the Northwest Youth and museum, the Jeju April 3 Peace third and final stage of the Korean a g a i n s t t h e S o u t h Ko r e a n Park,2 the Jeju Peace Museum, study tour project of HURIGHTS government, until September 21, the former Japanese military OSAKA.3 1954 when closed areas of the Halla mountain were opened to facilities (including the the public.” Then President Roh underground strongholds and Nobuki Fujimoto is a staff of Tae-woo apologized to the Jeju airport), and the Jeju Immigrant HURIGHTS OSAKA. people for the unfortunate Center, a non-governmental incident. organization (NGO) affiliated For further information, please 3 For information on the previous with the Jeju Migrant Peace contact: HURIGHTS OSAKA, study tours see "2008 Study Tour to South Korea" (www.hurights.or.jp/ Community. PiaNPO, 3F, 2-8-24 Chikko Minato-ku, Osaka 552-0021 asia-pacific/053/04.html) and The Haenyeo Museum has many Japan; ph (816) 6577-35-78; fax "Korea-Japan Symposiums on exhibits on the lives of Jeju "International Marriage" and (816) 6577-35-83; e- " F e m a l e M i g r a n t women divers. Haenyeo is the mail:[email protected]; Workers"" (www.hurights.or.jp/ Korean word for the women who www.hurights.or.jp asia-pacific/050/08.html) in this gather marine products by diving publication.
15 HURIGHTS OSAKA Calendar
HURIGHTS OSAKA has published in early 2009 in New Delhi the South Asian Teachers and Human Rights Education - A Training Resource Material. This is a handy and user-friendly resource material that situates the understanding of human rights and human rights education in the context of South Asia, and utilizes the existing materials in this subregion to illustrate the practice of human rights education in the school system. Copies can be bought through the website of the Indian Social Institute-Delhi (www.isidelhi.org.in).
DE AU P E O
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B JAPON TAXE PERCUE
PRINTED MATTER AIR MAIL May be opened for inspection by the postal service.
HURIGHTS OSAKA, inspired by the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Hu- man Rights, formally opened in December 1994. lt has the following goals: 1) to promote human rights in the Asia- Pacific region; 2) to convey Asia-Pacific perspectives on human rights to the international community; 3) to ensure inclusion of human rights principles in Japanese international cooperative activi- ties; and 4) to raise human rights awareness among the people in Japan in meeting its growing interna- tionalization. In order to achieve these goals, HURIGHTS OSAKA has activities such as Information Han- dling, Research and Study, Education and Training, Publications, and Consultancy Services. FOCUS Asia-Pacific is designed to highlight significant issues and activities relating to human rights in the Asia-Pacific. Relevant information and articles can be sent to HURIGHTS OSAKA for inclusion in the next editions of the newsletter. FOCUS Asia-Pacific is edited by Osamu Shiraishi, Director of HURIGHTS OSAKA.
Sender: HURIGHTS OSAKA (Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center) 3F, piaNPO, 2-8-24 Chikko Minato-ku Osaka 552-0021 Japan Phone: (816)6577-3578 Fax: (816)6577-3583 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.hurights.or.jp HURIGHTS OSAKA