A group of lawyers who represent people seeking asylum threatened Wednesday to boycott appeals hearings for their clients unless the Justice Ministry's Immigration Bureau changes its procedures.
The move comes after the revised law regarding refugee recognition took effect in May that included a change in the appeal system for asylum applicants, under which refugee examination counselors from third parties are appointed to increase neutrality.
At a news conference Wednesday, however, the lawyers' group slammed the problems with the new appeal system, including a 30-minute time limit on appeal hearings.