UN RIGHTS PANEL URGES JAPAN TO END CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

the Geneva-based Human Rights Committee urged Japan to consider abolishing the death penalty despite overall domestic public opinion in its favour. In its first report on Japan in 10 years, the UN panel of 18 experts said it is the Japanese government's responsibility to spark debate on abolishing capital punishment and urged the country to educate the public on the undesirability of capital punishment. "Regardless of opinion polls, the state party should favourably consider abolishing the death penalty and inform the public, as necessary, about the desirability of abolition," the report said. "In the meantime, the death penalty should be strictly limited to the most serious crimes." Japan "should also ensure that inmates on death row and their families are given reasonable advance notice of the scheduled date and time of the execution, with a view to reducing the psychological suffering caused by the lack of opportunity to prepare themselves for this event," it said. Makoto Teranaka, executive director Amnesty International Japan, welcomed the panel report, telling reporters Japan's human rights situation is increasingly under severe scrutiny in international society.