Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine
2023/2/6
(As delivered)
Madam President,
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I also join other colleagues in extending our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the victims of the huge earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria.
I thank Mr. Martin Griffiths for his briefing.
It is truly regrettable that we have to state what the overwhelming majority of the Member States has said so many times, but again Japan reiterates our condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the strongest terms, which is a clear and flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
We also condemn Russian attacks against civilian infrastructure and cities across Ukraine. Russia's deliberate attacks on hospitals, schools, energy and other critical infrastructure threaten the lives and future of the Ukrainian people. The humanitarian situation has aggravated in the harsh winter. Any continuation of these attacks is completely unacceptable.
We recall that indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilian populations constitute a war crime. We condemn all violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights, and calls upon all parties to the armed conflict to strictly respect international humanitarian law. We underline that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, including sexual and gender-based violence. The international community must hold those responsible to account in accordance with international law.
We commend the implementation of the “Black Sea Grain Initiative”, and urge all the parties, Russian Federation in particular, to further facilitate grain exports from Ukraine without any obstruction.
In response to their dire needs of the Ukrainian people, Japan has been strongly pushing forward our initiative in assistance for the people of Ukraine with the international community. Specifically, we have been providing $1.5 billion in total in humanitarian, financial and food related aid including further winterization assistance, to Ukraine and other countries affected by Russia's aggression. We have also warmly accepted people who had fled from Ukraine and provided assistance for a safe life in Japan.
Going forward, the Government of Japan continues to work with international organizations, the JICA, and NGOs, focusing on emergency humanitarian assistance, recovery and reconstruction of livelihood of Ukrainian people from the viewpoint of ensuring human security. This will include assistances in such areas as mine action, debris removal, housing, hospitals, schools and electricity, in addition to winterization assistance.
In order to implement further support, Japan welcomes efforts by the countries concerned to coordinate their assistance to Ukraine in a consistent, transparent, and comprehensive manner.
The suffering in Ukraine must end. Japan hereby renews its firm commitment to our utmost support, and will continue to stand by the people of Ukraine.
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I also join other colleagues in extending our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the victims of the huge earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria.
I thank Mr. Martin Griffiths for his briefing.
It is truly regrettable that we have to state what the overwhelming majority of the Member States has said so many times, but again Japan reiterates our condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the strongest terms, which is a clear and flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
We also condemn Russian attacks against civilian infrastructure and cities across Ukraine. Russia's deliberate attacks on hospitals, schools, energy and other critical infrastructure threaten the lives and future of the Ukrainian people. The humanitarian situation has aggravated in the harsh winter. Any continuation of these attacks is completely unacceptable.
We recall that indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilian populations constitute a war crime. We condemn all violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights, and calls upon all parties to the armed conflict to strictly respect international humanitarian law. We underline that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, including sexual and gender-based violence. The international community must hold those responsible to account in accordance with international law.
We commend the implementation of the “Black Sea Grain Initiative”, and urge all the parties, Russian Federation in particular, to further facilitate grain exports from Ukraine without any obstruction.
In response to their dire needs of the Ukrainian people, Japan has been strongly pushing forward our initiative in assistance for the people of Ukraine with the international community. Specifically, we have been providing $1.5 billion in total in humanitarian, financial and food related aid including further winterization assistance, to Ukraine and other countries affected by Russia's aggression. We have also warmly accepted people who had fled from Ukraine and provided assistance for a safe life in Japan.
Going forward, the Government of Japan continues to work with international organizations, the JICA, and NGOs, focusing on emergency humanitarian assistance, recovery and reconstruction of livelihood of Ukrainian people from the viewpoint of ensuring human security. This will include assistances in such areas as mine action, debris removal, housing, hospitals, schools and electricity, in addition to winterization assistance.
In order to implement further support, Japan welcomes efforts by the countries concerned to coordinate their assistance to Ukraine in a consistent, transparent, and comprehensive manner.
The suffering in Ukraine must end. Japan hereby renews its firm commitment to our utmost support, and will continue to stand by the people of Ukraine.