IMADR | The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism

【EVENT】Multifaceted Approach to Eliminating Racial Discrimination

February 17, 2026

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the ICERD and the 30th anniversary of Japan’s accession, and welcoming the LOIPR of CERD to Japan, IMADR and partner NGOs jointly identify challenges we face in our work for the elimination of racial discrimination through the consultation with the Committee experts we invite, and make strategic plans for the next steps. It should give impacts and pressure to the Government in its preparation for its next periodic report to the Committee, to the politicians to work more on the issues of racism and discrimination and to the civil society to join us towards the elimination of racial discrimination.

With Experts from CERD, Gun Kut (current member) and Anastasia Crickeley (former member)

 ■ Day 1   International Consultation 　
March 16 (Mon)  11:00 am – 16:00 pm　(JST) 　online

NGOs from Japan, public interest lawyer from ROK, and two experts from CERD

Opening

Panel 1 – Structural discrimination and colonial legacy

① Denial of rights of those non-Japanese from former colonies and their descendants

② Right to education of children and youth of Korean schools

③ Hate speech and hate crimes against people from outside the country

④ Rights of indigenous peoples focusing on FPIC / the Ainu and Ryukyu

⑤ Buraku discrimination

*  Discussions with 2 experts from CERD

Panel 2 – Xenophobia against migrants and asylum seekers

① Racial profiling

② Immigration control – revocation of permanent residence status

③ Racism and intersectionality – domestic violence against migrant women

④ Human rights protection of refugees – deportation and family separation

⑤ Voices of the youth

*  Discussions with 2 experts from CERD

Panel 3 – Measures and actions to be taken

① Development of legal framework – sanction, protection and relief

② Resort to the international human rights standards

③ Human rights education for future generations

④ Korean CSOs challenging racial discrimination  – our guest from the Korean CSO

*  Discussions with 2 experts from CERD

Closing

 

■ Day 2 Symposium
March 17  (Tue)  13:00 pm – 15:30 pm (JST)  hybrid

                                            (in-person: the International Convention Hall of Parliament Members Office Building)

Opening address

Keynote speech

* How the international community has addressed racial discrimination

* Roles of CERD in combating racial discrimination by the international community

* Challenges for the elimination of racial discrimination in the ROK

Challenges of the CSO in Japan

* How domestic stakeholders fight against racial discrimination

through practicing law by a member of Japan Bar Associations

through campaigning for legislation of racial discrimination law

through networking among CSOs in Japan

Discussion

Conclusion, and adoption of “Pledge for the Future Free from Racial Discrimination”

Closing

＊ This event will take place both in English and Japanese 

 ⚠️ Register here before 13 March 2026 (Fri)

Organized by the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)

in collaboration with the Japan NGO Network for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ERD Net)

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