Pledges to bring in reforms in system

• Sandamali was detained for overstaying her visa after seeking police protection, reportedly to escape an abusive relationship

Japan yesterday apologised for the death of a Sri Lankan woman held in immigration detention and pledged to reform conditions in the system.  

 Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa said a report on the death of 33-year-old Wishma Sandamali in March had concluded that she received inadequate treatment as her health deteriorated. Sandamali was detained for overstaying her visa after seeking police protection, reportedly to escape an abusive relationship.  

She had reportedly complained of continual stomach pain and other symptoms starting in January, and the campaigners allege she was given inadequate medical care.  

“I express my heartfelt condolences to her mother and bereaved family, and my heartfelt apologies for the loss of this precious life in the detention centre,” Ms. Kamikawa said.  

The Minister said the report had not conclusively determined the cause of Sandamali’s death but found the detention centre in Nagoya in Central Japan “lacked a system to assess the health of detainees and provide medical services”.

  
“I have instructed the chief of the Immigration Services Agency to take control and supervise regional outlets appropriately,” Ms. Kamikawa said. “We will carry out reforms with the determination that this never happens again.”  

National broadcaster NHK said four officials at the detention centre were “reprimanded” over the death, but none had been fired.  

Sandamali’s family had been in Japan campaigning for information about her death, and said the government’s announcements were not adequate.  

“Who will take responsibility for her death? We are not convinced by just an admonition of officials,” her sister Poornima told a press conference.  

• The detention centre in Nagoya in Central Japan “lacked a system to  assess the health of detainees and provide medical services
• Human Rights campaigners have long criticised conditions in Japanese detention centres