According to an interview with the Ministry of Justice, the number of human rights consultations regarding discrimination and prejudice related to the new coronavirus has reached more than 2,300 by last month.
The Ministry of Justice has a policy of strengthening awareness that if discrimination spreads, the number of people who avoid inspections will increase, which may affect infection prevention measures.
According to the Human Rights Bureau of the Ministry of Justice, the Legal Affairs Bureaus nationwide have received a series of human rights consultations regarding discrimination and prejudice related to the new coronavirus, and the total number of consultations received in the year up to last month was more than 2,380. It means going up.
Specifically, in addition to consultations that infected people and close contacts are suffering from overreactions around them, such as "When I returned to work, I was distanced from my colleagues that I might still be sick", as well as medical staff. It is good to receive many consultations about people and their families who have been refused to use the facilities or participate in events.
The Ministry of Justice plans to strengthen awareness that the spread of such discrimination will increase the number of people who avoid testing and hide infections, which may affect infection prevention measures.
A video message from the government subcommittee chairman Shigeru Omi was also posted on the special website for the prevention of discrimination against corona launched by the Ministry of Justice this month. We are calling for you to act based on the correct knowledge.
This video will be screened on large-scale outdoor visions in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya from the 15th to the 21st of this month, and will also be broadcast on the official Twitter account of the Human Rights Bureau and LINE.
High school with clusters, slanderous phone calls, etc.
Last August, a large cluster of more than 100 students and faculty members was infected at a private high school in Matsue City.
Immediately after that, high school received a series of criticisms such as "what kind of education are you doing" and "get out of Matsue" and calls for slander.
Furthermore, on the Internet, photos of students posted on blogs and SNS by high schools to introduce club activities were reprinted without permission, such as "I was working part-time at a supermarket while refraining from going out" or "Mask". It means that a lot of hoaxes and slanderous writings such as "I neglected to take measures against infection without attaching" were confirmed.
Shimane Prefecture wrote a note and notified the Matsue District Legal Affairs Bureau of a site with a high possibility of human rights violations, and the Legal Affairs Bureau investigated and requested the provider to delete it.
According to Shimane Prefecture, after that, some of the posts on the reported site were deleted.
The principal of this high school told NHK that "I thought that the anger that had nowhere to go was directed at our school that made the cause. The government and public institutions strongly said that they would not allow discrimination or prejudice." I think it is necessary to make a call and protect human rights. "
Even in restaurants where employees are infected, slander and hoax
Mr. Choshin Yagi, who runs a restaurant in Nagano Prefecture, announced the infection on Facebook etc. in order to avoid prejudice and rumors when one employee of a part-time job was infected with the new coronavirus last November. Did.
Immediately after that, however, a number of slanderous and hoaxes were posted on the anonymous bulletin board on the Internet, such as "Employees spread the virus," and another employee directly said "Close the store" from a neighbor. It means that there were cases where it was defamatory.
For this reason, Mr. Yagi held a press conference six days after the announcement and argued that unfair discrimination should be stopped.
Mr. Yagi recalled his feelings at the time, saying, "Everyone was depressed even though we weren't bad, and it was quite difficult mentally. I think it's a big human rights issue."
He added, "I wanted a window where the government and public institutions could respond a little more firmly. I want you to feel that you are tomorrow."
Investigate as necessary if declared by the Legal Affairs Bureau
Legal Affairs Bureaus nationwide will investigate schools, workplaces, homes, etc. as necessary if there is a report that "human rights have been violated" due to bullying, abuse, discrimination, etc.
Based on the results, we will take measures such as "assistance" to provide legal advice, "coordination" to mediate discussions between the parties, and "recommendations" and "requests" to seek improvement.
The investigation is not enforceable, but consultation is free and confidential.
As a result of the investigation, the Legal Affairs Bureau may request the provider to delete the writing on the Internet if it is found to be illegal, such as defamation or invasion of privacy.
Legal Affairs Bureau Civil Rights Commissioner "Connecting anxiety to compassion"
Yuichi Saito, Civil Rights Commissioner, Civil Rights Commissioner, Ministry of Justice, said, "I think everyone has anxiety about the new corona. I want them to connect that anxiety to compassion rather than discrimination or prejudice. People are encouraged to use the Ministry of Justice's Corona Discrimination Counseling Service. "
Telephone human rights consultation is "Minna no Human Rights 110" 0570-003-110, "Children's Human Rights 110" such as bullying and abuse is 0120-007-110, and sexual harassment and domestic violence are "Women" Human Rights Hotline ".
The "Foreign Language Human Rights Consultation Dial", which is available in 10 languages such as English and Chinese at 0570-070-810, is accepted at 0570-090-911.
Foreign language consultation dials are available from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, and other consultation dials are available from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm on weekdays.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice website also accepts consultations by e-mail.
https://www.jinken.go.jp/