The Hokkaido Federation of Bar Associations issued a statement on the 4th calling for the early release of a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter detained by Russian authorities on suspicion of spying. The federation is led by chairman Yosuke Kishida.
The statement describes reporting as "the foundation of a democratic society that supports citizens' right to know." It argues that, under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, freedom of reporting "must be respected to the maximum extent."
It says the detention "requires a legal basis and strict procedures," and singles out the more than 10 days it took for a consular visit to check on the reporter's health.
The federation then called on the Japanese government to "continue to strongly press for the reporter's early release."