We question and oppose the forced mass deportation of the 75 undocumented Filipino migrants because we found that their human rights were violated and their welfare is disregarded.

We conducted individual and group interviews with 23 people deported back from Japan in the week of August 20-26 in the Philippines.

They all need medical attention and counseling to some extent. Most suffer from symptoms of depression such as attempted suicide, insomnia, skin disorders, ulcer, aches and difficulty breathing. Their physical and psychological conditions deteriorated while in detention. Having lived in Japan for more than a decade, they feel alienated and helpless in their home country, and they are afraid to even venture out to the streets. They need proper assistance to readjust to the new environment. They have no money to start a new life, with some who are left under the care of their relatives with meager income, while others have no family or relatives to turn to.

We demand that the Japanese government; 1) examine thoroughly and carefully in deciding the deportation; 2) respect the deportees’ rights to access family and legal assistance before deportation; 3) prohibit an excessive use of handcuffs to manage the deportees because it is an act of torture and humiliation; and 4) provide proper medical attention with a reference to the hospitals in the Philippines.

We also demand that the Filipino government; 1) extend its support to fulfill urgent needs of the 75 deported undocumented migrants; 2) help those undocumented who wish to remain in Japan acquire legal status; and 3) provide an accessible and tangible reintegration program designed for undocumented workers.

We call on both governments to suspend the inhumane mass deportation.