Statement
on the Enactment of the State Secrets Protection Bill (December 7, 2013)
On the
evening of December 6, the state secrets protection bill was passed and enacted
in a House of Councilors plenary session. We protest against the one-sided
legislative and voting process, which proceeded without heeding the anxiety
expressed by many citizens, let alone objections from the opposition parties.
We value
the law and order of this world, respect the ruling authorities that have been
appointed, and continue in daily prayer so political affairs may follow God’s
will. However, this law not only tramples upon constitutionally guaranteed
basic human rights, but can potentially lead to gross violations against the
freedom of religion, the freedom of speech and expression, the freedom of
thought and conscience, and the freedom of association, and is therefore
clearly unconstitutional.
The
Constitution of Japan, article 98 states “This Constitution shall be the
supreme law of the nation and no law, ordinance, imperial rescript or other act
of government, or part thereof, contrary to the provisions hereof, shall have
legal force or validity.” We therefore believe the state secrets protection
bill is void and must be immediately abolished.
We have
been entrusted with the responsibility to protect, guide, and nurture each
person that has been entrusted to us as pastor, based on the teachings of the
Bible. Therefore, when something threatens the freedom of those God-given
people, harms their consciences, or violates their dignity, we resist in
adherence to nonviolence and adamantly raise our voice of opposition, “even
though it is against the law” (Old Testament, Esther 4:16).
December
7, 2013 Pastors Against the State Secrets Protection Bill