Statement by H.E. Ambassador SHINO Mitsuko, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing on “the maintaining international peace and security (smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya)”

Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank Director Menikdiwela and Director Liljert for their briefings.

Regarding the draft resolution which will renew the authorization set in the resolution 2240 (2015), Japan supports the co-penholders’ efforts to seek a good compromise among the Council members.

Mr. President,

It is shocking that more than 3,000 persons died or went missing in the Mediterranean Sea between August 2022 and June 2023. Japan expresses deep condolences for their families. Such tragic and unacceptable loss of life must end.
 
It is also reported that almost 170,000 people arrived in Europe between September 2022 and July 2023. While many of them departed from Libya and Tunisia, we should not take this flow of people as merely a local issue in North Africa. International and regional collective efforts are required to solve this problem. Japan welcomes Member States’ continuous efforts to rescue migrants, intercept boats, and prevent and combat the smuggling and trafficking of persons off the coast of Libya.

Japan echoes the Secretary-General’s call that a holistic approach to address the root causes of irregular migration is needed more than ever. The Panel of Experts of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 1970 concerning Libya reports that it has identified eight human trafficking and migrant smuggling routes in Libya with elements in 17 Member States including African, Asian, and European countries. The international community must show solidarity to tackle problems in the countries of origin of these migrants.

Mr. President,

The human rights of refugees and migrants must be upheld. We are concerned about reports of violence, including sexual violence, and abuses against detained refugees and migrants as well as arbitrary detention. Japan calls on Libyan actors to fully respect human rights and welcomes efforts by the UN and regional organizations to support Libya in this regard.

I would like to conclude my statement by reiterating Japan’s commitment to actively participating in the international efforts to stop this tragedy.

I thank you.