E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.2
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order to transform the perception of Buraku people by Japanese society through culture.
The creation of cultural centres for minorities in the main Japanese cities would be a very
welcome step.
85.
Japan should recognize the Ainu as an indigenous people. A number of specific
indigenous rights should be recognized to the Ainu people, in accordance with international
law and standards. In this context, Japan is encouraged to ratify the ILO Convention
No. 169 (1989) concerning indigenous and tribal peoples. In particular, stunned by the fact
that the Ainu have been deprived of their right to access their traditional food, the Special
Rapporteur urges the Government to return to the Ainu the freedom to fish for salmon in
their territories.
86.
Political representation of minorities should be guaranteed in State institutions.
The Government should accede to the request of the Ainu community to have a quota in
the Diet for Ainu representatives. The same could be envisaged for the people of Okinawa.
87.
The Government should facilitate the creation of independent Ainu media, managed
by the Ainu and financed by public funds, in order to guarantee effective pluralism in the
Japanese media and give the Ainu an additional and truly effective means to promote their
culture and identity.
88.
The Government should request the Diet to carry out a thorough investigation on
the issue of whether the continued existence of the United States of America’s military
bases in Okinawa is compatible with the respect of the fundamental human rights of the
people of Okinawa. It is also encouraged to establish a joint body composed of
representatives of the people of Okinawa and of the Government to monitor the existence
of discrimination in relation to the situation of the people of Okinawa. Such a body would
formulate recommendations on appropriate measures and policies for adoption by the
Government.
89.
The Government should adopt all measures required to eliminate differential
treatment between Korean schools and other foreign schools, which can be considered as
racial discrimination. In particular, Korean schools should be allowed to receive subsidies
and other financial assistance, as well as the recognition of their certificates as university
entrance examination qualifications, on the same footing as other foreign schools, and even
more so taking into account the special historical circumstances of the Korean presence in
Japan.
90.
The Government should adopt strong preventive and punitive measures to stop and
firmly sanction violent racially motivated acts against Korean children.
91.
The Government should adopt remedial measures for Koreans who are more
than 70 years old and who have no access to pension benefits because of the existence of the
nationality clause when they were of working age.
92.
Concerning the situation of the Korean community living in Utoro, the Government
should enter into a dialogue with the Utoro residents and take immediate action to protect
them against forced evictions and prevent them from becoming homeless. In the light of