Religious Scholars Urged to Investigate Human Rights Violations in Japan

De-conversions in Japan inflict torture on religious victims

TURIN, Italy, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaking to the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), Dan Fefferman, President of the International Coalition for Religious Freedom, urged religious scholars from Europe and North America to conduct independent investigations into the kidnappings and forced de-conversions of Unification Church members in Japan.

CESNUR is the world's premier gathering of scholars dedicated to the study of new religions and religious minorities. Approximately 150 scholars attended the conference, held in Turin, Italy at the University of Turin.

Fefferman reported to CENSUR attendees that 10 to 20 Unification Church members are currently victims of forced de-conversions each year in Japan. Two new victims were abducted against their will during the month of August, and several more church members remain missing.

While so-called "deprogramming" has been eliminated in the United States for nearly 20 years, there exists a well organized movement in Japan to kidnap Unification Church members and hold them against their will for months or even years at a time.

Most Japanese government officials turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses, and police refuse to investigate in part because there are not enough independent voices demanding justice.  

"Scholars are not involved in Japan," Fefferman told the CESNUR audience. "One of the reasons they are not involved is that they are taking a professional risk if they defend the Unification Church."  

Fefferman shared real life stories of deprogramming survivors who report beatings, threats with knives, humiliation and other psychological abuse, food depravation and rape. Despite the clear abuses of civil liberties, Japanese authorities refuse to intervene, calling religious affiliation a "family matter."

In the United States, American citizens are being encouraged to sign a petition for Congress to hold hearings on Japan's human rights violations. Specifically, the hearing would be held by the Tom Lantos Commission on Human Rights, co-chaired by Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) and Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA).  

For more information on the Japan abduction issue: http://stopjapanabductions.org/

About ICRF        

The International Coalition for Religious Freedom is a non-profit, non-sectarian, educational organization dedicated to defending the religious freedom of all, regardless of creed, gender or ethnic origin.

SOURCE International Coalition for Religious Freedom

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