Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council VTC Open Debate on the theme “20th Anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) and the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee: achievements in international cooperation, challenges and opportunities”
2021/1/12
Mr. President,
Let me begin by expressing Japan’s appreciation for the initiative of the Tunisian Presidency to hold an open debate on this important theme.
Despite the direful warning that the September 11 attacks gave to the international community in 2001 to redouble its counter-terrorism efforts, terrorist activities continue to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. There is a risk that social vulnerabilities exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis will be exploited by terrorists and violent extremists.
Mr. President,
Having itself experienced sarin gas attacks by a religious cult in the 1990s, Japan has been taking strict counter-terrorism measures, fully implementing relevant Security Council resolutions and supporting UN-wide efforts.
First, cognizant of the crucial importance of suppressing the financing of terrorism, Japan has frozen the funds and other financial assets of the designated individuals and entities in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, including those listed in March 2020 pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1373. Moreover, to tackle the emerging forms of terrorist financing sources and platforms such as the dark web and crypto assets, Japan has supported the capacity-building efforts by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) to raise awareness among the officials of Member States in Asia, enhancing their investigative skills on the internet and social media through human rights-based approaches.
Second, we need to focus our attention on the internet, which has become a major arena in the fight against terrorism. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is key to preventing and countering the abuse of the internet by terrorists. To this end, following up on the “Christchurch Call to Action,” Japan, as the G20 chair in 2019, took the initiative to issue the “G20 Osaka Leaders' Statement on Preventing Exploitation of the Internet for Terrorism and Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism.” Japan has also actively engaged in discussions on this issue as a member of the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) to strike a delicate balance between the freedom of expression and effective online regulation.
Third, we must continue to tackle wider issues in society that provide breeding grounds and safe havens for terrorist groups. As part of such efforts, Japan has keenly backed the efforts by the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) to improve strategies for prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorists (PRR) in Southeast Asia.
Mr. President,
Notwithstanding the pandemic, the year 2021 is full of opportunities to advance multilateral counter-terrorism actions, including the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review. Japan is honored to host the Fourteenth UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Kyoto in March, in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In closing, Japan avails itself of this commemoration to reaffirm its commitment to global counter-terrorism efforts here at the UN and beyond.
Thank you.
Let me begin by expressing Japan’s appreciation for the initiative of the Tunisian Presidency to hold an open debate on this important theme.
Despite the direful warning that the September 11 attacks gave to the international community in 2001 to redouble its counter-terrorism efforts, terrorist activities continue to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. There is a risk that social vulnerabilities exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis will be exploited by terrorists and violent extremists.
Mr. President,
Having itself experienced sarin gas attacks by a religious cult in the 1990s, Japan has been taking strict counter-terrorism measures, fully implementing relevant Security Council resolutions and supporting UN-wide efforts.
First, cognizant of the crucial importance of suppressing the financing of terrorism, Japan has frozen the funds and other financial assets of the designated individuals and entities in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, including those listed in March 2020 pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1373. Moreover, to tackle the emerging forms of terrorist financing sources and platforms such as the dark web and crypto assets, Japan has supported the capacity-building efforts by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) to raise awareness among the officials of Member States in Asia, enhancing their investigative skills on the internet and social media through human rights-based approaches.
Second, we need to focus our attention on the internet, which has become a major arena in the fight against terrorism. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is key to preventing and countering the abuse of the internet by terrorists. To this end, following up on the “Christchurch Call to Action,” Japan, as the G20 chair in 2019, took the initiative to issue the “G20 Osaka Leaders' Statement on Preventing Exploitation of the Internet for Terrorism and Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism.” Japan has also actively engaged in discussions on this issue as a member of the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) to strike a delicate balance between the freedom of expression and effective online regulation.
Third, we must continue to tackle wider issues in society that provide breeding grounds and safe havens for terrorist groups. As part of such efforts, Japan has keenly backed the efforts by the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) to improve strategies for prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorists (PRR) in Southeast Asia.
Mr. President,
Notwithstanding the pandemic, the year 2021 is full of opportunities to advance multilateral counter-terrorism actions, including the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review. Japan is honored to host the Fourteenth UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Kyoto in March, in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In closing, Japan avails itself of this commemoration to reaffirm its commitment to global counter-terrorism efforts here at the UN and beyond.
Thank you.