March 18, 2020

Urgent Appeal following the COVID-19 Outbreak—Responding to instances of discrimination and antiforeignism,
we hereby request for the human rights and medical/financial
protection of immigrants, ethnic minorities, and marginalized
populations—
As COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) spreads all over the world, more casesof discriminatory and antiforeign words and deeds toward immigrants and ethnic minorities
are being reported both domestically and internationally. In Europe, people from Asia andof Asian descent are being physically abused and, in Japan, Chinese people are banned
from some establishments. While each country is imposing travel restrictions on certain
countries and discussing potential “risks” of people moving across borders, immigrants
and ethnic minorities are being connected to the “risks,” treated as “suspicious,” andtargeted by xenophobia. At the same time, there are quite a few technical intern trainees
and irregular migrant workers who have been fired or laid off due to the current economic
recession resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. We are greatly concerned about thedeveloping racism and xenophobia that have accompanied the outbreak of COVID-19.
Dr. Mike Ryan, who leads the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, addressedthat travel restrictions, which are being imposed in many countries, should not be abused
since a travel restriction is only a part of the holistic approach toward disease prevention.1In addition, Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
indicated that human rights need to be placed at the forefront and center of any
coronavirus countermeasure.2 In her statement, Bachelet asks us to pay attention to theway those who are deemed vulnerable in society are treated, by asserting, “our efforts tocombat this virus won't work unless we approach it holistically, which means taking greatcare to protect the most vulnerable and neglected people in society, both medically andeconomically.” Moreover, she requested the governments that are being affected by
COVID-19 to take necessary countermeasures against xenophobic and stigmatizing
activities.
Although the WHO has adopted its policy not to use the names of specific locations
and people for the nomenclature of infectious diseases in order to prevent potential
discrimination and disgrace, in Japan, some politicians have been referring to COVID-19
as the “Wuhan Virus.” In addition, the City of Saitama decided to provide complimentary1

Tokyo Shimbun March 17, 2020
https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/world/list/202003/CK2020031702000278.html
2
OHCHR “"Coronavirus: Human rights need to be front and centre in response, says" Bachelet”
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25668&LangID=E

1

masks for employees of kindergartens and nursing schools in its municipality; however,the Korean kindergartens were excluded from their list at first (the decision was
subsequently overturned due to many complaints received from citizens). As shown inthese examples, we are witnessing increasing levels of discrimination and demagogy
inflicted by public institutions and civil servants.
In response to the current perturbing situation, we urge both the national and local
governments to present a clear stance that COVID-19-related discrimination andantiforeignism will not permitted, and to guarantee the human rights of immigrants andethnic minorities and the protection of marginalized populations. In order not to leaveanyone behind, information needs to be available in multiple languages, and in line withhuman rights standards, all the necessary services need to be provided. We also demand
the government, news media, and every citizen to provide information that is correct andjust.
In the midst of ongoing discrimination and antiforeignism, we believe trust andsolidarity beyond borders and ethnicities are needed, not the spread of the illusion that wecan resolve this problem by closing the border.
In solidarity,Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan2