Japan’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to pay compensation to victims who were forcibly sterilized under the now-defunct Eugenics Protection Law. Around 25,000 people were sterilized without consent from the 1950s to the 1970s to prevent the birth of children of people with disabilities. The court deemed the law unconstitutional and rejected the government’s claim of a statute of limitations for payment of compensation.
Eleven plaintiffs, out of 39, who fought for their case at lower courts, were part of this landmark decision. They held up signs expressing their gratitude and victory outside the court. The surgeries were performed without rational reasons and in clear discrimination against the plaintiffs due to their disabilities, violating their dignity and human rights for 48 years according to the court.
In response to previous rulings, the government offered insufficient compensation, prompting the Supreme Court to declare it insufficient. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed regret and apologized to the victims, promising to consider a new compensation scheme and to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities.
The court also previously ruled that a law requiring transgender individuals to undergo sterilization to change their gender on official documents was unconstitutional, signaling progress in LGBTQ+ rights. Additionally, leprosy patients who were also sterilized have received compensation and apologies for their forced isolation. The ruling highlights the government’s acknowledgment of past human rights violations and efforts to rectify them.
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