Statement by Mr. KAWAHARA Kazutaka, Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the 80th Session of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, on the Adoption of the Draft Resolution: “Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”

Thank you, Mr. Chair,
 
Japan welcomes the adoption of the draft resolution on the “Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” as one of the co-sponsors. We would like to express our deep appreciation to the delegation of the European Union for its great efforts in bringing us this far.
 
Japan is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in the DPRK. In particular, the issue of abductions by the DPRK is a universal issue that concerns the entire international community as it constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights.
 
In this regard, Japan welcomes the references to the abductions issue in this year’s reports on the situation of human rights in the DPRK by Special Rapporteur Dr. Elizabeth Salmon and the Secretary-General. The OHCHR report published in September this year recommends that Pyongyang take immediate steps to provide information on persons who have been abducted.
 
The abductions issue, which relates to the sanctity of human life, must be resolved without delay as an urgent humanitarian matter, as the abductees and their families continue to age. Considering the tremendous suffering that the victims and their families have endured over the years, there is no time to spare.
 
We continue to strongly urge Pyongyang to take seriously the views of the international community as expressed in this resolution just adopted, listen sincerely to the voices of the victims who have been confined in North Korea as well as their families who have been waiting many years for their return, and to take concrete and positive actions to resolve the abductions issue immediately, including the immediate return of all abductees. 
 
Thank you, Chair.