WHO WE ARE
The Greater Vancouver JCCA is a non-profit organization representing the Japanese Canadian community in Vancouver and the surrounding area.

One JCCA purpose is to “protect and promote the past, present and future legal rights and democratic freedom of all persons in Canada regardless of race, religion, status or sex.” (JCCA Constitution 1985.)

Established in 1990 as a standing committee of the JCCA, the Human Rights Committee has been dealing with human rights, race relations and discrimination related issues.  We also work closely with the Board of the JCCA, members of the Japanese Canadian Community and the public at large.

WHAT WE DO

Advocacy
The Committee provides information on human rights, advice and support for those who have experienced a human rights violation.  If necessary, we refer individuals or groups to an appropriate government or non-government agency and make sure that those people who have human rights related concerns receive proper and effective assistance.  During the past few years, case situations referred to us involved racial discrimination and  sexual and other forms of harassment in the workplace.

Education
We organize workshops and seminars for Japanese Canadians on human rights and related community development.  For example, in past we presented workshops on Japanese Canadian Intermarriage and Children of Intermarriage in Vancouver, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Nelson.  More recently we focused on the psychological and emotional trauma of the Japanese American  (and Canadian) internment by presenting the film “Children of the Camps” produced by American Psychologist, Dr. Satsuki Ina.  Another topic was “Closing the Gap” a bilingual workshop on relations between Ijusha and Canadian born persons of Japanese ancestry.   We also held bilingual (Japanese/English) workshops on sexual harassment, domestic violence, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Peoples Rights and Issues, and Canada’s Post 9/11 Security Measures and Racial Profiling.

Our educational work includes participating in letter writing campaigns regarding our concerns about a human rights or discrimination issue.

Each year we operate an information and display booth at the Powell Street Festival.

Networking
We work closely with other Japanese Canadian groups, human rights groups and ethno-cultural organizations to promote human rights and fight discrimination.  Our committee is a member of the BC Human Rights Coalition and Amnesty International.  Our past activities include:

•    Strengthening links with the aboriginal community through supporting various campaigns related to inherent Aboriginal rights;

•    Working with various other organizations who advocate for comfort women, germ warfare, slave labour and other victims seeking Japan’s apology and redress due to historic Japanese militarism in Asia;

•    Working with the Chinese Canadian community on their Redress campaign for head tax payer families;

•    Outreaching to Muslim Canadian community representatives such as the Islamic Speakers Bureau and hosting a community education workshop on racial profiling, Canada’s security, and the Islamic faith;

•    Over the years, committee members participated as delegates and presenters in anti-racism and human rights related international conferences held in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Tokyo, Vienna, Durban, South Africa and Montreal;

•    Working with the Seniors Community in BC to advocate for revisions to the BC Human Rights Act so that those over age 65 could be protected from age discrimination;

•    Working with the Save Article 9 Group on various film and community education workshops supporting world peace and anti- militarism in Japan;

•    Committee members have also been active members of the National Association of Japanese Canadians Human Rights Committee.

Publications
We contribute to Japanese Canadian journals such as The Bulletin and the Nikkei Voice reporting our activities and concerns.  In 1985, we published the first “Bilingual Human Rights Guide for Japanese Canadians.”  In 2003, thanks to a generous grant from the Law Foundation, we published the current updated version.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If you have any human rights related concerns, please contact one of our committee members through the JCCA office.  We strictly respect confidentiality;  what you tell us will not be shared with anyone without your prior consent.

JOIN US!
The Greater Vancouver JCCA Human Rights Committee needs new members!

If you are interested and are already a member, or willing to be a member of the Greater Vancouver JCCA, you are welcome to join our committee.  We hold monthly committee meetings, host educational workshops, participate in conferences and  other community events.

We sincerely encourage you to join the GVJCCA Human Rights Committee!  Committee members have been enriched by gaining knowledge, understanding and becoming activists for social justice and human rights issues. Together we can continue supporting the legacy of social justice, exemplified by the Redress settlement for Japanese Canadians in 1988, a landmark victory in the history of human rights in Canada!

Vancouver JCCA
Human Rights Committee
#200 – 6688 Southoaks Crescent
Burnaby, BC  V5E 4M7

Tel:  604-777-5222
Fax:  604-777-5223