Japanese Consulate San Francisco Vice Consul Charged with Assualt and 14 Counts of Domestic Violence

Photo by David McNeill

In light of a recent even in which a Ghanaian Prince died while in custody of Japanese immigration officials Read earlier post, claims made by another man in January of this year raises some serious questions of conditions in immigration detention centers in Japan. A detainee at the West Japan Immigration Center in Ibaraki City alleges guards at the Kansai facility beat and kicked him in January of this year. Moses Ssentamu, 35 claims to be a political refugee and as a result he fled his native land of Uganda where he was allegedly tortured by authorities due to his political opposition activities. Ssentamu arrived in Japan on a three month visa back in May 2006 and was arrested in November 2008 for overstaying his visa.

Ssentamu states that he is not a criminal an wishes to prove that he is indeed a political refugee and will most likely face death if he is sent back home. Norifumi Kishida a spokesman for the detention facility is quoted by the Japan Times Online as saying “That’s a lie, Guards may handcuff or subdue an inmate if he is doing harm to himself or others, but there is no way that so many guards would deliberately harm an inmate.” The Japan Times Online article also states that after two months there are no visible scars other than marks on Ssentamu’s wrists left by tight handcuffs. In addition, there is limited access to Ssentamu due to a Plexiglas window. According to the Japan Times Online additional allegations may include refusing medical attention to a wheelchair-bound Pakistani man and whether or not guards intentionally inflict pain on detainees in order to discourage them from wanting to stay in Japan.

The Japan Times Online Original Story