Art and Writing by Children on Provisional Release

We are pleased to present the Art and Essay Exhibition by Children on Provisional Release.

In addition, on November 23 at 2:00 p.m., we will welcome attorney Matsumoto, a member of the legal team representing the family in the lawsuit concerning the death of Ms. Wishma Sandamali at the Nagoya Immigration Detention Center, for a special lecture.

Before the court delivers its verdict, we invite you to take this opportunity to reflect on the Wishma case: what happened, how the legal proceedings have unfolded, and what this case tells us about the society in which we live. We hope you will join us in considering these important questions together.

We sincerely look forward to your participation.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan detains foreign nationals without legal residence status and does not release them until they are deported.
However, among those detained are people who cannot return to their home countries due to persecution, people who have spent most of their lives in Japan, and those who have families or children here—in other words, individuals who have lost their place to return to.
Reports frequently reveal discriminatory behavior and excessive physical restraint by detention officers.
Four years ago, a tragic incident occurred in which a detainee lost their life inside a detention facility.

On March 6, 2021, Ms. Wishma Sandamali, a 33-year-old woman detained at the Nagoya Immigration Bureau, passed away.
Despite being unable to eat, walk, or even use the toilet on her own, and despite urine tests indicating she was suffering from starvation, the Immigration Bureau refused to hospitalize her or even administer an IV drip, continuing her detention until her death.
This case became a symbol of the serious human rights violations taking place within Japan’s immigration system.

Wishma’s bereaved family came to Japan seeking the truth about her death, to hold the authorities accountable, and to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
Together with lawyers, they have been fighting in court for more than three years.

“Provisional release” (karihōmen) is a system that allows certain detainees to be temporarily released due to various circumstances that prevent their deportation.
As of the end of 2024, about 2,000 people are living under this status.
They are not allowed to work or access social security, must report regularly to the immigration office, and face restrictions on traveling outside their prefecture.
They live under constant anxiety, never knowing when they might be deported.

Among those on provisional release are children who were born and raised in Japan.
Although they attend school, they are not eligible for health insurance, which means they cannot participate in school trips or go to hospitals easily.
Please take this opportunity to see and feel their thoughts and emotions expressed through their paintings and writings, created under such difficult circumstances.