Japan: Relatives of Slain Detainee Demand Investigation

Relatives of an Iranian man who died while in a Japanese detention facility in 1997 are demanding an investigation into why prosecutors chose not to charge eight bureau officials with assault resulting in death. The man was detained for staying in Japan illegally. He died after being locked in a room and bound with leather and metal handcuffs; bruises and wounds were found on his body. In March 1998, The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office decided not to indict the officials alleged to have beaten the man to death. Another detainee witnessed the event, and he gave a description of the man's attackers. A lawyer in the case described the witness' testimony as credible and concrete.

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Australian Asylum Centers Close

Just one week after announcing intentions to close the Woomera asylum camp in the South Australian desert, Australia will shut down another detention center for asylum seekers on Christmas Island, according to Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock.

Ruddock said the center was no longer needed, and that the seven remaining people held there had been sent back to Afghanistan and Nauru. Australia has witnessed a sharp decline in the number of asylum seekers reaching the country by boat, fleeing Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, since instituting tough new immigration measures to reduce the flow of illegal migrants.

Last week, the Immigration Ministry said that the Woomera detention center would close in April for financial and logistical reasons, and the asylum seekers kept there would be moved to another nearby location.

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UAE Organizes Raids In Advance Of Amnesty Deadline

United Arab Emirates immigration authorities have enlisted the help of local police to crack down on illegal immigrants thought to be hiding out throughout the country. Foreigners in the country illegally face severe penalties if they do not leave before a period of amnesty ends. Officials say raids on residences, shops and farms would help the government avoid complications and huge crowds at the end of the grace period.

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Comic Book Warns Mexican Youth Of Border Crossing Dangers

The State Office for Attention to Migrants in Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca has published a comic book with cautionary tales based on true stories of border crossings. "What Are You Betting When You Migrate, Oaxacan?" is the story of a young man in the fictional village of San Gumer who has big dreams of U.S. dollars, the Statue of Liberty, hamburgers and fancy cars. The 20-page book contains heroes and villains, as well as grieving widows and family. On the cover is a picture of smugglers, bandits and a US Border Patrol agent.

"We came up with the comic book because we wanted to demystify the idea that everything goes great for the migrant," said Aida Ruiz, director of Oaxaca's migrant office.