Strongly condemn frame-up and raid by the police

9 Dec 2005

On 7 December 2005 the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) raided JRU and JREU offices and three welfare related companies. They also raided houses of nine union officers and retirees. 80 policemen raided JRU office and 30, JREU wearing showy “POLICE“ vests. Media reported as if JRU and JREU committed a crime.

 The reason of this search was that one of the officers, who had retired five years ago, embezzled union funds conspiring with other staffs when he worked. However, it is not true.

 As well as the arrest of falsely charged JRU7 case, Incident of Urawa Electric-train Depot and Tokyo Station Incident in 2002, the police framed up the cases to destroy JRU and JREU organizations. The police searched JREU office from 11 a.m. to 11p.m. on Dec.7. They started to search JRU office from 10 a.m. but still have continued on Dec.9 working without a break over 30 hours.

 The police disturbed all our union activities, occupying the offices. Moreover, they confiscated important union documents on accountant and others, whether they were related to the suspicion or not, for example, union activity reports, union rules and even one of the computers owned by JRU. The items they confiscated will total over 1200.

 JRU has been fighting against union oppression with supporters of JRU7 and overseas unions. As a result of that, International Labour Organization (ILO) made recommendations to the Japanese Government last year and follow-up report in November this year in reference to the JRU case No. 2304 in 2005. This action of the police is obviously violation of union rights, disturbing union activities and freedom of association.

 JRU and JREU strongly protest against these raids and confiscations by the police and fight back together with brothers and sisters all over the world to protect workers rights, peace and democracy.

Yuji Oda
President Japan Confederation of Railway Unions (JRU)