Mr Koji Tsuruoka
101-104 Piccadilly
London W1J 7JT
EMAIL: info@ld.mofa.go.jp
Your Excellency,
As an activist for disabled people’s rights, I am deeply concerned about the plan of the Kanagawa Prefecture, Sagamihara-City, and Kanagawa Kyodokai to bring a flame-lightning ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games to an institution for disabled people “Yamayuri-en”.
The Yamayuri-en institution was the site of the horrific massacre of 2016, when 19 disabled people were murdered while they slept by a former staff member, and a further 26 injured. This same institution is now being presented, in the run-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as an example of an inclusive society. This in spite the fact that all those living there are being denied an opportunity to live included in the community, and continue being segregated and excluded from society only on account of their disability.
I am appalled at this, particularly so because the Paralympic Games aim to celebrate full inclusion and participation of disabled people, not segregation.
Your Excellency,
Having the Paralympic Torch pass through the Yamayuri-en institution will send a wrong message to the world and tarnish the reputation of Japan before this important and long-awaited event. As party to the CRPD, Japan must ensure that all disabled people have the opportunity to live independently in the community. We therefore respectfully urge You to:
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Ensure that the Paralympic Torch does not pass through the Yamayuri-en institution for disabled people.
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Use the Paralympic Games and the torch relay to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to full implementation of the UN CRPD, including the right of all disabled people to live independently and being included in the community.
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Commit to the closure of the Yamayuri-en and other institutions for disabled people, by adopting and implementing a deinstitutionalisation strategy as a matter of priority.
We thank you in advance for Your attention and look forward to Your response.
Yours sincerely,
