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Execution of prisoners with mental illnesses in Japan
Editorial
Execution of prisoners with mental illnesses in Japan
AP
The printed journal includes an image merely for illustration
For more on the Amnesty International Report see http://www.amnesty.org/en/ library/info/ASA22/005/2009/en For more on the letter to the Japanese Prime Minister see http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ Openletterjapan2907a.pdf
3 weeks ago the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) pushed out the incumbent Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, which had been in power for almost 54 continuous years, in a landslide victory. The economic reforms proposed by the DPJ’s leader, Yukio Hatoyama, helped to sweep the party to victory. Yet Japan’s dark secret of human rights abuses threatens to taint the promise of a brighter future. On Sept 10, a report published by the human rights organisation, Amnesty International, urged the Government of Japan to stop executing prisoners with mental illnesses. Japan has signed international standards, such as a UN resolution, which requires those with serious mental illnesses to be protected from the death penalty. However, many death row prisoners are pushed towards mental illness. For such prisoners, each day could be their last, since they are not informed of their date of execution (by hanging) until the sudden visit from a prison officer with a death warrant signals their execution within hours. Additionally, strictly enforced
conditions such as isolation and immobility (prisoners must remain seated) adds to prisoners’ mental stress. Furthermore, in July this year, the International Federation of Human Rights and the Center for Prisoners’ Rights wrote to the then Prime Minister of Japan, Taro Aso, stating that they were “seriously worried” about the number of executions carried out in Japan, especially of prisoners with mental illnesses. In its election manifesto, the DPJ stated that it would initiate a public debate on the death penalty. If the new Government of Japan wants to make an immediate—and favourable—impact on the international community, it could do as the international human rights organisations request: adopt a moratorium on all executions; engage the necessary judicial reforms, especially regarding the way it treats prisoners with mental illnesses; and totally abolish capital punishment in Japan. Surely these actions are not too much to expect from a leading modern democracy, especially one that has done so much to advance international policy on human security? ■ The Lancet
Who should lead WHO EURO?
See World Report page 865
852
On Sept 15, the 53 member states of WHO’s European region will elect a new director for the regional office (WHO EURO). In The Lancet today, we publish short profiles of the five candidates, summarising their experience, achievements, and vision for WHO EURO. WHO EURO is the biggest of the agency’s regional offices. Although vision is important for the next regional director, the agenda for the office is essentially set by member states. The next regional director needs to be someone who can work closely with health ministers. He or she will need to maintain the already excellent relation the office has with the European Commission and forge partnerships with other major European public health institutes to boost the office’s capacity and deliver results. Three candidates—Nata Menabde, Zsuzsanna Jakab, and Marc Sprenger—are potentially capable of meeting these demands. The other two, Roberto Bertollini and Agis Tsouros, while both competent, lack the experience of leading a large organisation. Menabde, currently deputy regional director of WHO EURO, and Jakab, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control,
have a greater breadth of international experience than Sprenger, who is director-general of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health Care and the Environment. WHO EURO has the unenviable reputation of being uncollaborative with WHO’s Geneva’s headquarters. The Copenhagen office is often dismissive of and unresponsive to Geneva’s pleas for collegial and programmatic support. This policy of truculent aloofness needs to change. The next regional director should be someone who can remain relevant to all states, east and west. In this respect, Menabde, who is effectively running the regional office, has already risen to this challenge fairly well. Menabde probably also has an edge over Jakab in terms of her ability to manage an office with a mixed set of staff skills and a small budget. Europe, with its ageing population, high burden of noncommunicable diseases, and widening health inequalities, needs a responsive regional office that can address these public health challenges. Member states should choose the next regional director wisely, on the basis of technical ability and merit. ■ The Lancet www.thelancet.com Vol 374 September 12, 2009
Execution of prisoners with mental illnesses in Japan
AP
The printed journal includes an image merely for illustration
For more on the Amnesty International Report see http://www.amnesty.org/en/ library/info/ASA22/005/2009/en For more on the letter to the Japanese Prime Minister see http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ Openletterjapan2907a.pdf
3 weeks ago the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) pushed out the incumbent Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, which had been in power for almost 54 continuous years, in a landslide victory. The economic reforms proposed by the DPJ’s leader, Yukio Hatoyama, helped to sweep the party to victory. Yet Japan’s dark secret of human rights abuses threatens to taint the promise of a brighter future. On Sept 10, a report published by the human rights organisation, Amnesty International, urged the Government of Japan to stop executing prisoners with mental illnesses. Japan has signed international standards, such as a UN resolution, which requires those with serious mental illnesses to be protected from the death penalty. However, many death row prisoners are pushed towards mental illness. For such prisoners, each day could be their last, since they are not informed of their date of execution (by hanging) until the sudden visit from a prison officer with a death warrant signals their execution within hours. Additionally, strictly enforced
conditions such as isolation and immobility (prisoners must remain seated) adds to prisoners’ mental stress. Furthermore, in July this year, the International Federation of Human Rights and the Center for Prisoners’ Rights wrote to the then Prime Minister of Japan, Taro Aso, stating that they were “seriously worried” about the number of executions carried out in Japan, especially of prisoners with mental illnesses. In its election manifesto, the DPJ stated that it would initiate a public debate on the death penalty. If the new Government of Japan wants to make an immediate—and favourable—impact on the international community, it could do as the international human rights organisations request: adopt a moratorium on all executions; engage the necessary judicial reforms, especially regarding the way it treats prisoners with mental illnesses; and totally abolish capital punishment in Japan. Surely these actions are not too much to expect from a leading modern democracy, especially one that has done so much to advance international policy on human security? ■ The Lancet
Who should lead WHO EURO?
See World Report page 865
852
On Sept 15, the 53 member states of WHO’s European region will elect a new director for the regional office (WHO EURO). In The Lancet today, we publish short profiles of the five candidates, summarising their experience, achievements, and vision for WHO EURO. WHO EURO is the biggest of the agency’s regional offices. Although vision is important for the next regional director, the agenda for the office is essentially set by member states. The next regional director needs to be someone who can work closely with health ministers. He or she will need to maintain the already excellent relation the office has with the European Commission and forge partnerships with other major European public health institutes to boost the office’s capacity and deliver results. Three candidates—Nata Menabde, Zsuzsanna Jakab, and Marc Sprenger—are potentially capable of meeting these demands. The other two, Roberto Bertollini and Agis Tsouros, while both competent, lack the experience of leading a large organisation. Menabde, currently deputy regional director of WHO EURO, and Jakab, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control,
have a greater breadth of international experience than Sprenger, who is director-general of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health Care and the Environment. WHO EURO has the unenviable reputation of being uncollaborative with WHO’s Geneva’s headquarters. The Copenhagen office is often dismissive of and unresponsive to Geneva’s pleas for collegial and programmatic support. This policy of truculent aloofness needs to change. The next regional director should be someone who can remain relevant to all states, east and west. In this respect, Menabde, who is effectively running the regional office, has already risen to this challenge fairly well. Menabde probably also has an edge over Jakab in terms of her ability to manage an office with a mixed set of staff skills and a small budget. Europe, with its ageing population, high burden of noncommunicable diseases, and widening health inequalities, needs a responsive regional office that can address these public health challenges. Member states should choose the next regional director wisely, on the basis of technical ability and merit. ■ The Lancet www.thelancet.com Vol 374 September 12, 2009