Dear IACHR Commissioners:

We urge the IACHR to decide the case of Shibayama et al. vs USA (Case 12.545) and to rule in favor of the Shibayama brothers as soon as possible. 

The three Shibayama brothers – Art, Ken, and Tak – seek to hold the US government accountable for its ongoing failure to provide redress for war crimes perpetrated against them as children during WWII.

Our concerns are grave as it has been over 13 years since their petition was filed with the IACHR. During that time, the brothers have advanced in age and are facing health issues. The eldest is now 86 years old. With each passing year, the Shibayama brothers carry the burden of knowing that most of their fellow internees have died and soon there will be no one left who directly suffered these crimes against humanity to plead for justice.

We join the Shibayama brothers in saying: No more! Women, children, and men must not be subjected to government-orchestrated kidnapping, indefinite detention/internment, forced deportation, and hostage exchange. The US government must be held accountable for these wartime violations and blatant infringements of the rule of law.

Time is of the essence! Please rule in favor of the Shibayama brothers and hold the US government accountable so that similar practices do not devastate other communities now and in the future. 

Thank you for your consideration.