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Japan immigration

Sri Lankan's death in Japan exposes disregard for detainee rights

Immigration chief declares end to mandatory detention following probe

Wishma Sandamali's sisters hold a news conference at Japan's parliament on Aug. 10 following the release of a report on the circumstances surrounding her March death.   © Kyodo

TOKYO -- The findings of a government report on the death of a Sri Lankan detainee have trained a spotlight on the glaring issues in Japan's immigration system, reigniting calls to reform the way the country treats people held for deportation.

The death in March of 33-year-old Ratnayake Liyanage Wishma Sandamali while she was detained at the Nagoya immigration center could be attributed to multiple causes, a report by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan released last week said. The conclusion stressed serious shortcomings in medical care at the Nagoya center, including a delay in getting Wishma the care she requested.

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