Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, United Nations Security Council Open VTC on Children and Armed Conflict: Attacks against Schools as a Grave Violation of Children’s Rights
2020/9/10
Mr. President,
I would like to begin by thanking Niger for convening this important meeting. Japan welcomes the adoption of the Presidential Statement this morning and expresses its appreciation to Niger and Belgium for their efforts to this end.
Since the adoption of the Resolution 1998 in 2011, the Security Council has reiterated its firm commitment to the protection of schools and hospitals by adopting a series of resolutions including the Resolution 2286 on healthcare in armed conflict, to which Japan contributed as a co-penholder in 2016. It is deplorable that, according to the Secretary-General’s Report on Children and Armed Conflict, attacks and threats of attacks against schools and hospitals are increasing at an alarming rate. Japan strongly condemns any acts against the obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law and relevant Security Council resolutions, and urges all parties to armed conflicts to fully comply with them.
COVID-19 has caused and is still causing a serious human security crisis, spreading across borders and striking the most vulnerable segments of societies. Japan is deeply concerned about its aggravating impact on children under already fragile situations, including those who are refugees, internally displaced or in conflict affected areas, as well as those with disabilities, without parental care or in poverty. Girls also need special attention. The international community must step up its efforts to minimize the impact of the pandemic on these vulnerable children affected by armed conflicts. Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of the Resolution 2532 on COVID-19. Japan urges all parties to armed conflicts to immediately respond to the call for a ceasefire and ensure safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access to children in need.
Mr. President,
Children’s right to education must be safeguarded at all cost as the bedrock for realizing peaceful societies and sustainable development in the future. Japan echoes the urgent need to protect schools and education from attacks and to ensure access to safe and quality education with no child left behind. Japan has always partnered with UNICEF to secure education for children affected by conflict. Japan provides substantial contribution to the UNICEF-led “Education for All’ joint program in Syria. Japan also supports Syrian children and youths who fled their home and became refugees in neighboring countries. In Afghanistan, Japan supports access to education for internally displaced children and those who are returnees. Furthermore, with a view to assisting developing countries prone to the impacts of COVID-19, including those affected by conflict, Japan provided in March emergency assistance of 28.8 million USD through UNICEF to improve children’s access to quality health services. In April, Japan decided on an additional contribution of over 68.1 million USD to UNICEF. School closures due to COVID-19 would make them more vulnerable to vandalism in conflict-affected areas.
On bilateral fronts as well, Japan is making its efforts to improve children’s learning environments in the Sahel region, where violent extremism and social unrest prevent children from going to school. JICA’s “School for All” programmes began in Niger in 2004 and has been replicated in more than 45,000 schools mainly across West Africa and the Sahel region. The program has contributed to improved access to quality education and higher enrollment of girls.
Mr. President,
Japan is determined to make every effort to protect and promote children’s rights, including their right to education, and to ensure human security for all children and their families. Japan looks forward to working closely with the United Nations in this endeavor.
Thank you.
I would like to begin by thanking Niger for convening this important meeting. Japan welcomes the adoption of the Presidential Statement this morning and expresses its appreciation to Niger and Belgium for their efforts to this end.
Since the adoption of the Resolution 1998 in 2011, the Security Council has reiterated its firm commitment to the protection of schools and hospitals by adopting a series of resolutions including the Resolution 2286 on healthcare in armed conflict, to which Japan contributed as a co-penholder in 2016. It is deplorable that, according to the Secretary-General’s Report on Children and Armed Conflict, attacks and threats of attacks against schools and hospitals are increasing at an alarming rate. Japan strongly condemns any acts against the obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law and relevant Security Council resolutions, and urges all parties to armed conflicts to fully comply with them.
COVID-19 has caused and is still causing a serious human security crisis, spreading across borders and striking the most vulnerable segments of societies. Japan is deeply concerned about its aggravating impact on children under already fragile situations, including those who are refugees, internally displaced or in conflict affected areas, as well as those with disabilities, without parental care or in poverty. Girls also need special attention. The international community must step up its efforts to minimize the impact of the pandemic on these vulnerable children affected by armed conflicts. Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of the Resolution 2532 on COVID-19. Japan urges all parties to armed conflicts to immediately respond to the call for a ceasefire and ensure safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access to children in need.
Mr. President,
Children’s right to education must be safeguarded at all cost as the bedrock for realizing peaceful societies and sustainable development in the future. Japan echoes the urgent need to protect schools and education from attacks and to ensure access to safe and quality education with no child left behind. Japan has always partnered with UNICEF to secure education for children affected by conflict. Japan provides substantial contribution to the UNICEF-led “Education for All’ joint program in Syria. Japan also supports Syrian children and youths who fled their home and became refugees in neighboring countries. In Afghanistan, Japan supports access to education for internally displaced children and those who are returnees. Furthermore, with a view to assisting developing countries prone to the impacts of COVID-19, including those affected by conflict, Japan provided in March emergency assistance of 28.8 million USD through UNICEF to improve children’s access to quality health services. In April, Japan decided on an additional contribution of over 68.1 million USD to UNICEF. School closures due to COVID-19 would make them more vulnerable to vandalism in conflict-affected areas.
On bilateral fronts as well, Japan is making its efforts to improve children’s learning environments in the Sahel region, where violent extremism and social unrest prevent children from going to school. JICA’s “School for All” programmes began in Niger in 2004 and has been replicated in more than 45,000 schools mainly across West Africa and the Sahel region. The program has contributed to improved access to quality education and higher enrollment of girls.
Mr. President,
Japan is determined to make every effort to protect and promote children’s rights, including their right to education, and to ensure human security for all children and their families. Japan looks forward to working closely with the United Nations in this endeavor.
Thank you.