Lawyers for the relatives of a Sri Lankan woman who died at an immigration facility in Japan have released a portion of the video that shows her complaining of declining health.
Wishma Sandamali, a 33-year-old woman died 2 years ago at the facility in Nagoya, central Japan, while she was held in detention there for overstaying her visa.
Her family sued the government for damages. The government submitted a five-hour video taken of Wishma during her detention as evidence at the trial.
Part of it was released yesterday (06).
Eleven days prior to her death, Wishma is heard telling staff she hadn’t eaten anything or slept for a long time. “One month, one week.”
A staff member said she would ask a supervisor to take her to hospital, but did not know if it would be possible that same day.
Wishma said she wanted to go right away. The staff member said she wanted to take her, but did not have the authority.
The day before her death, Wishma is heard groaning while staff appear to be chatting casually.
Wishma’s condition changed abruptly on March 6. A staff member is seen trying to rouse her, saying, “Ms. Sandamali, Sandamali. Can you hear me? Ms. Sandamali!”
Immigration officials say Wishma died about an hour later.
Her relatives and their lawyers told reporters that they wanted the public to know what detention is like, and how inhuman it is.
“I want people to watch the video and think about how unfair it was for our family and our sister,” said Wishma’s sister, Wayomi Nisansala.
The family filed a criminal complaint, accusing officials at the center of homicide. Prosecutors decided against filing charges, but a citizen’s inquest panel said the decision not to indict was unjust.
Source: NHK World-Japan
