In scenes uncommon for Japan’s normally sedate parliament, the left-wing lawmakers engaged in a brawl with other parliamentarians in an attempt to block a controversial immigration bill, the New York Post reported.&nbsp;

The Liberal Democratic Party&nbsp;as well as two opposition parties, the Democratic Party for the People and Nippon Ishin no Kai voted in favour of the bill. However, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) opposed the legislation saying it did nothing to protect the rights of asylum-seekers as well as&nbsp;improving&nbsp;the current treatment of detainees stuck at immigration facilities.&nbsp;

Though the protest started off ordinarily,&nbsp;Taro Yamamoto, an actor and leader of the Reiwa party, soon jumped onto the crowd, seemingly trying to reach the discussion table.&nbsp;

“Steamrolling this bill is unacceptable.&nbsp;That’s why we demand that it be withdrawn and that thorough deliberations be conducted,” said Sohei Nihia, a JCP member during the debate.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"Battle Royale" actor and left-wing populist Reiwa party leader Taro Yamamoto tried to climb over lawmakers to stop the passing of an anti-refugee law through Japan's Upper House (via <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjeffu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mrjeffu</a>) <a href="https://t.co/HuPTMXvDef">pic.twitter.com/HuPTMXvDef</a>
— Populism Updates (@PopulismUpdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/PopulismUpdates/status/1666913622885535744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

By the end of the initial question-and-answer session, the opposition leaders once again started making noise as they gathered around&nbsp;Hisatake Sugi, the chairman of the committee, to impede the passing of the law.&nbsp;

Despite the chaos, the bill, which overhauls immigration rules and rolls back the long-term detention of asylum-seekers passed a key Upper House committee.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-enacts-law-to-tackle-loneliness-and-social-isolation-599527">Also read |&nbsp;Japan enacts law to tackle loneliness and social isolation</a>

<h2>Second attempt to get the bill passed</h2>

This was the second attempt in the Japanese parliament to get the bill cleared. The previous attempt in February 2021 had to be abandoned&nbsp;amid a public outcry over the death of 33-year-old Sri Lankan asylum seeker named&nbsp;Ratnayake Liyanage Wishma Sandamali.

Sandamali, reportedly died in an immigration detention centre as subsequent investigations revealed that officers intentionally denied her request for provisional release. Moreover, the officers believed that she was faking her illness to get out.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-millions-in-japan-told-to-take-immediate-cover-582258">WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Millions in Japan told to take immediate cover</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-millions-in-japan-told-to-take-immediate-cover-582258/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Amnesty International has opposed the Japanese government's proposed changes to the immigration bill.&nbsp;

“Migrants have painted a grim picture of what it’s like to claim refugee status in Japan. Far from being helped in their hour of need, they speak of being subjected to arbitrary, endless detention in prison-like immigration facilities,” said Hideaki Nakagawa, Director of Amnesty International Japan.

Notably, this was not the first instance when a scuffle broke out in the Japanese parliament. In 2015, members of the opposition and the ruling coalition pushed and shoved each other during a heated debate over a security bill that batted for the military fighting abroad.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

In scenes uncommon for Japan’s normally sedate parliament, the left-wing lawmakers engaged in a brawl with other parliamentarians in an attempt to block a controversial immigration bill, the New York Post reported.

In scenes uncommon for Japan’s normally sedate parliament, the left-wing lawmakers engaged in a brawl with other parliamentarians in an attempt to block a controversial immigration bill, the New York Post reported. The Liberal Democratic Party as well as two opposition parties, the Democratic Party for the People and Nippon Ishin no Kai voted in favour of the bill. However, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) opposed the legislation saying it did nothing to protect the rights of asylum-seekers as well as improving the current treatment of detainees stuck at immigration facilities. Though the protest started off ordinarily, Taro Yamamoto, an actor and leader of the Reiwa party, soon jumped onto the crowd, seemingly trying to reach the discussion table. “Steamrolling this bill is unacceptable. That’s why we demand that it be withdrawn and that thorough deliberations be conducted,” said Sohei Nihia, a JCP member during the debate. "Battle Royale" actor and left-wing populist Reiwa party leader Taro Yamamoto tried to climb over lawmakers to stop the passing of an anti-refugee law through Japan's Upper House (via @mrjeffu) pic.twitter.com/HuPTMXvDef — Populism Updates (@PopulismUpdates) June 8, 2023 × By the end of the initial question-and-answer session, the opposition leaders once again started making noise as they gathered around Hisatake Sugi, the chairman of the committee, to impede the passing of the law. Despite the chaos, the bill, which overhauls immigration rules and rolls back the long-term detention of asylum-seekers passed a key Upper House committee. Also read | Japan enacts law to tackle loneliness and social isolation Second attempt to get the bill passed This was the second attempt in the Japanese parliament to get the bill cleared. The previous attempt in February 2021 had to be abandoned amid a public outcry over the death of 33-year-old Sri Lankan asylum seeker named Ratnayake Liyanage Wishma Sandamali. Sandamali, reportedly died in an immigration detention centre as subsequent investigations revealed that officers intentionally denied her request for provisional release. Moreover, the officers believed that she was faking her illness to get out. WATCH | Gravitas: Millions in Japan told to take immediate cover × Amnesty International has opposed the Japanese government's proposed changes to the immigration bill. “Migrants have painted a grim picture of what it’s like to claim refugee status in Japan. Far from being helped in their hour of need, they speak of being subjected to arbitrary, endless detention in prison-like immigration facilities,” said Hideaki Nakagawa, Director of Amnesty International Japan. Notably, this was not the first instance when a scuffle broke out in the Japanese parliament. In 2015, members of the opposition and the ruling coalition pushed and shoved each other during a heated debate over a security bill that batted for the military fighting abroad. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Watch | Lawmakers spar and scuffle in Japanese parliament over controversial refugee bill

United States President Donald Trump criticised those against the controversial travel ban imposed on seven Muslim-dominated countries.

The 70-year-old also trained his guns on the media for trying to downplay the threat posed by travellers and refugess from Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq and Yemen.

While the ban was suspended by a Seattle court on Friday, the US government appears unwavering its efforts to implement the executive order signed by Trump on January 27 despite two new polls showing that a majority of Americans are against the imposition of the ban.

Trump took to Twitter to slam the national media: &quot;Any negative polls are fake news, just like the CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election.&nbsp;Sorry, people want border security and extreme vetting.&quot;

He also spoke about the risks involved in letting Muslims from the seven countries enter the country.&nbsp;

&quot;Radical Islamic terrorists are determined to strike our homeland as they did on 9/11, as they did from Boston to Orlando to San Bernardino, and all across Europe,&quot; the president later told military personnel.

Incidentally, none of the 9/11 attackers had any connection to the seven countries that have been blackballed by the current administration.

The legal battle has moved to San Francisco, where a US court of appeals gave the administration until Monday evening to submit a brief defending the decision.

Mounting opposition

Trump&#39;s decree slapped a blanket ban on entry for nationals of the seven mainly-Muslim countries for 90 days and barred all refugees for 120 days.&nbsp;Refugees from Syria were blocked indefinitely.

The president says the ban is needed to tighten US security against foreign terror threats, citing the September 11, 2001 attacks despite the hijackers having no links to the named countries.

But Friday in Seattle, a federal district judge ordered the temporary nationwide suspension of the president&#39;s order, allowing the many travellers who were suddenly barred from US soil to start trickling back in.

The appeals court in San Francisco on Sunday refused to overrule the federal judge, and ordered the Trump administration to present a brief by 2300 GMT on Monday.

The attorneys general for the states of Washington and Minnesota, which won the temporary stay of the ban, have asked the appeals court to refuse to reinstate it. They were backed Monday in a court brief filed by 16 other US states.

And in an additional blow, a slew of Silicon Valley giants led by Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter have filed a legal brief in support of the lawsuit.

The 97 companies speaking out against Trump&#39;s travel ban said it harms recruiting and retention of talent, threatens business operations, and hampers their ability to attract investment to the United States.

A group of prominent Democrats including former secretaries of state John Kerry and Madeleine Albright added their voices to the criticism on Monday, in a filing to the San Francisco appeals court.

&quot;Reinstating the executive order would wreak havoc on innocent lives and deeply held American values,&quot; they said.

Specifically, the Democrats said Trump&#39;s travel ban could endanger US troops in the field, disrupt counterterrorism cooperation and feed Islamic State group propaganda.

Arrivals

Spicer insisted the administration was &quot;absolutely not&quot; thinking about withdrawing its order. On Trump&#39;s plan to introduce extreme vetting at US borders, he said: &quot;Once we win the case, it will go right back into action.&quot;

But top Republicans have also shown renewed signs of discomfort with the president as the controversy escalates, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell chiding Trump on Sunday for attacking the judge who suspended the ban.

&quot;I think it is best to avoid criticizing judges individually,&quot; he said on CNN.

Trump had blasted Judge James Robart in a series of angry tweets.

&quot;Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!&quot;

With the ban suspended, travelers from the targeted countries holding valid visas have begun arriving on American soil.&nbsp;

In New York, 33-year-old Sudanese doctor Kamal Fadlalla rejoiced -- after a week blocked in his home country, he was back in the Big Apple with friends and colleagues.

&quot;It feels great,&quot; Fadlalla told AFP on Sunday at John F. Kennedy International Airport. &quot;It was a tough week actually.&quot;

Iranian graduate student Sara Yarjani, who was initially deported under Trump&#39;s order, arrived in Los Angeles.

&quot;I am so grateful to all the lawyers and others that helped me,&quot; she said tearfully.

The State Department has said visa holders from the seven countries are allowed to travel to the US as long as their documents have not been &quot;physically canceled&quot;.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The Trump administration is keen to reinstate the ban on Muslims despite fresh polls showing the public to be against the idea

United States President Donald Trump criticised those against the controversial travel ban imposed on seven Muslim-dominated countries. The 70-year-old also trained his guns on the media for trying to downplay the threat posed by travellers and refugess from Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq and Yemen. While the ban was suspended by a Seattle court on Friday, the US government appears unwavering its efforts to implement the executive order signed by Trump on January 27 despite two new polls showing that a majority of Americans are against the imposition of the ban. Trump took to Twitter to slam the national media: "Any negative polls are fake news, just like the CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election. Sorry, people want border security and extreme vetting." He also spoke about the risks involved in letting Muslims from the seven countries enter the country. "Radical Islamic terrorists are determined to strike our homeland as they did on 9/11, as they did from Boston to Orlando to San Bernardino, and all across Europe," the president later told military personnel. Incidentally, none of the 9/11 attackers had any connection to the seven countries that have been blackballed by the current administration. The legal battle has moved to San Francisco, where a US court of appeals gave the administration until Monday evening to submit a brief defending the decision. Mounting opposition Trump's decree slapped a blanket ban on entry for nationals of the seven mainly-Muslim countries for 90 days and barred all refugees for 120 days. Refugees from Syria were blocked indefinitely. The president says the ban is needed to tighten US security against foreign terror threats, citing the September 11, 2001 attacks despite the hijackers having no links to the named countries. But Friday in Seattle, a federal district judge ordered the temporary nationwide suspension of the president's order, allowing the many travellers who were suddenly barred from US soil to start trickling back in. The appeals court in San Francisco on Sunday refused to overrule the federal judge, and ordered the Trump administration to present a brief by 2300 GMT on Monday. The attorneys general for the states of Washington and Minnesota, which won the temporary stay of the ban, have asked the appeals court to refuse to reinstate it. They were backed Monday in a court brief filed by 16 other US states. And in an additional blow, a slew of Silicon Valley giants led by Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter have filed a legal brief in support of the lawsuit. The 97 companies speaking out against Trump's travel ban said it harms recruiting and retention of talent, threatens business operations, and hampers their ability to attract investment to the United States. A group of prominent Democrats including former secretaries of state John Kerry and Madeleine Albright added their voices to the criticism on Monday, in a filing to the San Francisco appeals court. "Reinstating the executive order would wreak havoc on innocent lives and deeply held American values," they said. Specifically, the Democrats said Trump's travel ban could endanger US troops in the field, disrupt counterterrorism cooperation and feed Islamic State group propaganda. Arrivals Spicer insisted the administration was "absolutely not" thinking about withdrawing its order. On Trump's plan to introduce extreme vetting at US borders, he said: "Once we win the case, it will go right back into action." But top Republicans have also shown renewed signs of discomfort with the president as the controversy escalates, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell chiding Trump on Sunday for attacking the judge who suspended the ban. "I think it is best to avoid criticizing judges individually," he said on CNN. Trump had blasted Judge James Robart in a series of angry tweets. "Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!" With the ban suspended, travelers from the targeted countries holding valid visas have begun arriving on American soil. In New York, 33-year-old Sudanese doctor Kamal Fadlalla rejoiced -- after a week blocked in his home country, he was back in the Big Apple with friends and colleagues. "It feels great," Fadlalla told AFP on Sunday at John F. Kennedy International Airport. "It was a tough week actually." Iranian graduate student Sara Yarjani, who was initially deported under Trump's order, arrived in Los Angeles. "I am so grateful to all the lawyers and others that helped me," she said tearfully. The State Department has said visa holders from the seven countries are allowed to travel to the US as long as their documents have not been "physically canceled". (WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump attacks media for downplaying Islamist terror threat

refugee-ban

Refugee Ban, News on Refugee Ban, stories on Refugee Ban, articles on Refugee Ban, Refugee Ban stories at Wion, Refugee Ban news, Refugee Ban latest news

refugee ban

Watch | Lawmakers spar and scuffle in Japanese parliament over controversial refugee bill

Trump attacks media for downplaying Islamist terror threat