Two men hanged; others in grave danger

Two urgent actions letters today:

The first relates to the hanging of two men, and the immediate risk of the execution of three further men, in Japan.

Further details: ASA 22/012/2009

Write, in the first instance, to MORI Eisuke, the Minister of Justice, fax: +81 3 5511 7200.

Send copies to:

• ASO Taro, Prime Minister, fax: +81 3 3581 3883, Email: (via website) http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/forms/comment.html
• Newspaper Asahi Shimbun, fax: +81 3 3545 0285.
• The local Japanese diplomatic contacts. In Australia: His Excellency Mr Takaaki KOJIMA, Ambassador. Fax: (02) 6273 1848

I believe that sending a fax strikes the best balance between speed of delivery and delivering a product that will be taken somewhat seriously, and I think email comes second. However, if you prefer sending an ordinary letter, click here to obtain postal addresses.

My letter is below.

MORI Eisuke
Minister of Justice
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-897
JAPAN
Fax: +81 3 5511 7200
E-mail: webmaster@moj.go.jp


Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA Friday, 14 August 2009

Dear Minister,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University and a member of Amnesty International.

I write to express my concern at the your decision to proceed with the executions of Maeue Hiroshi and Yamaji Yukio.

I strongly urge you not to execute Shinozawa Kazuo, Zoda Hiroshi and Ogata Hidek. I also call on you to order an immediate moratorium on the death penalty, with a view to eventual abolition, and to commute the sentences of all those now on death row.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik