JCP and Japan Federation of Bar Associations agree to cooperate

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JCP and Japan Federation of Bar Associations agree to cooperate

The Japanese Communist Party and the Japan Federation of Bar Associations held a full-fledged meeting for the first time in Tokyo on December 1, in which both organizations confirmed that they share similar views on many issues, including the opposition to a bill to adversely revise the Fundamental Law of Education, and agreed to promote cooperation between the JCP and the JFBA.

Those attending this meeting were, from the JFBA, President Hirayama Seigoh, 11 vice presidents, and other officers and, from the JCP, Chair Shii Kazuo and other 14 Dietmembers, including the secretariat head and vice chairs.

Hirayama in his greeting said, "The JFBA executives have always taken decisions in the interest of the public as the final criterion. I think our position is the same as yours."

Kuboi Kazumasa, director of the JFBA's political arm, said, "I wish to express my respect for the JCP as a party that has struggled since the prewar days for the defense of the rights of socially disadvantaged people. As lawyers undertake the mission to defend fundamental human rights and achieve social justice, our activities share a strong affinity with that of the JCP."

Shii said, "We have been greatly encouraged by the JFBA statement that expressed its firm opposition to the government bill to adversely revise the Fundamental Law of Education."

Pointing out that the essence of the bill is to enable the state to freely interfere in education by overturning Article 10 of the education law, Shii requested the JFBA to join forces in order to kill the bill.

The bar association requested the JCP to cooperate in opposition to a government plan to impose on lawyers the obligations as "gatekeepers" to report to authorities any client's activities such as suspected involvement in illicit money transfers, without informing the client.

Shii said, "The JCP can support the JFBA's position on any issue the JFBA raised today." Concerning the establishment of the "gatekeeper" system, Shii said that this system may go against a United Nations General Assembly resolution that anti-terrorist measures must be carried out in a manner consistent with fundamental human rights."
- Akahata, December 2, 2006