Statement by Mr. KAWASE Taro, Counsellor and Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the Meeting of the Sixth Committee on the Report of the International Law Commission on the work of its seventy-second session (Agenda Item 80)
2020/11/5
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
Today, Japan would like to make three general observations on the work of the International Law Commission (ILC).
Firstly, Japan strongly believes that the rule of law is a fundamental principle of the international community, which maintains a stable international order. In that sense, the role of the Commission continues to be indispensable. Japan would like to reiterate its strong support for the Commission. In order to contribute to the work of the Commission, Japan is preparing to submit written comments and observations on the topics of the programme of the Commission, in accordance with its request.
Secondly, since the Sixth Committee and the Commission are the central bodies in the UN system for the progressive development and codification of international law, it is crucial to have close cooperation between them. Japan has highlighted in its past statements the importance of States being able to examine thoroughly the work of the ILC. While it is quite unfortunate that the seventy-second session was postponed to next year due to the pandemic, Japan deems that we can utilize the extra time to thoroughly review the Special Rapporteurs' reports.
Thirdly, in recent years, the Commission has adopted some outcomes in the form of “draft conclusions” or “draft principles”, but the normative implication of these outcomes is not always clear. Japan expects the Commission to clarify the normative implication of these outcomes after thorough discussion.
Mr. Chairperson,
Finally, regarding the election for the membership of the ILC, every State is duly preparing according to the prescribed schedule, so Japan would expect that the election will be held in 2021 as planned.
I thank you.
Today, Japan would like to make three general observations on the work of the International Law Commission (ILC).
Firstly, Japan strongly believes that the rule of law is a fundamental principle of the international community, which maintains a stable international order. In that sense, the role of the Commission continues to be indispensable. Japan would like to reiterate its strong support for the Commission. In order to contribute to the work of the Commission, Japan is preparing to submit written comments and observations on the topics of the programme of the Commission, in accordance with its request.
Secondly, since the Sixth Committee and the Commission are the central bodies in the UN system for the progressive development and codification of international law, it is crucial to have close cooperation between them. Japan has highlighted in its past statements the importance of States being able to examine thoroughly the work of the ILC. While it is quite unfortunate that the seventy-second session was postponed to next year due to the pandemic, Japan deems that we can utilize the extra time to thoroughly review the Special Rapporteurs' reports.
Thirdly, in recent years, the Commission has adopted some outcomes in the form of “draft conclusions” or “draft principles”, but the normative implication of these outcomes is not always clear. Japan expects the Commission to clarify the normative implication of these outcomes after thorough discussion.
Mr. Chairperson,
Finally, regarding the election for the membership of the ILC, every State is duly preparing according to the prescribed schedule, so Japan would expect that the election will be held in 2021 as planned.
I thank you.