Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing, Agenda item “Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine”
2023/10/9
(As delivered)
Thank you for convening this meeting, and I also appreciate USG DiCarlo and ASG Joyce Msuya for their briefings.
Along with other Council members and the international community, we are stunned to hear at least 52 civilians were killed in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.
We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish on early recovery of those injured. We echo the Secretary-General's call to condemn this attack in the strongest terms.
This is not, however, an isolated case. As USG DiCarlo explained, there are cases of attacks on cities, civilians, grain silos, energy infrastructures, arbitrary detentions, torture, gender-based violence, and so forth. Terrible lists of egregious acts continue and the number of casualties, including women and children, keep increasing.
After Russia launched its unprovoked war of aggression, there have been numerous civilian casualties. As stated today, more than 9,800 civilians have been killed.
According to the OHCHR, statistics show that 111 people were killed and 443 injured from September 1st to 24th alone. We need not reiterate here that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks against civilians.
Mr. President,
Russia agreed to the G20 Leaders' Declaration last month, which includes the following statement, and I quote “we call on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law” unquote.
Russia's attempts to gloss over its acts will never succeed. We reiterate here; Accountability cannot be avoided for violations of international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law.
Mr. President,
This situation would not have happened in the first place if Russia had not started its illegal aggression against Ukraine in violation of international law including the UN Charter.
Japan will continue to stand with Ukraine to realize just and lasting peace in Ukraine that will uphold all the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
We urge Russia to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, and not to cause further atrocities. Japan has been and will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
I thank you.