Statement by Ms. TOKUNAGA Fumie, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the seventy-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly, on the Report of the International Criminal Court (Agenda Item 74)
2023/10/30
Mr. President,
This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute. As a staunch supporter of the ICC, Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to fight against impunity and promote the rule of law.
We are left in no doubt that the rule of law will benefit all countries and regions, leading to sustainable growth as well as the peace and stability of the international community. Together, under the rule of law, the world must protect the right of vulnerable nations and peoples to live in peace, while safeguarding the most fundamental need – human dignity. To this end, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with the ICC, an integral part of the multilateral architecture upholding the rule of law.
In this regard, we are pleased to facilitate the collaboration between the Security Council and the ICC together with Switzerland as co-focal point at the Security Council. Our initiatives for holding the Arria formula meeting in July and the panel discussion in March, which focused on the role of the Court, served as valuable opportunities to exchange views among the Member States. Taking this opportunity, we appreciate all the contributions and insights from many member countries at these events.
Mr. President,
At a time when the world is at a historical juncture, the international community’s expectations for the ICC to make a difference are quite high. Fighting against impunity and promoting the rule of law will be better achieved through a greater number of states joining the ICC, promoting the universality of the Rome Statute. In this context, Japan calls on states who have not yet become States Parties to do so while welcoming the recent ratification of the Rome Statute by Armenia.
Japan also takes this opportunity to express our support for Ukraine’s efforts to ratify the Rome Statute, as it has accepted the exercise of jurisdiction by the Court by declaration lodged with the Registrar. The universality of the Rome Statute continues to be an important goal for Japan and the ICC, and we will spare no effort in partnering with the Court in this endeavor. We believe that universality should enhance the function and mission of the ICC, and that would be of great benefit to upholding the rule of law.
Mr. President,
Following the press release of the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties issued on 10 October this year, we reiterate our commitment to preserve the integrity of the Court undeterred by any threats or measures against the Court, its officials, and those cooperating with it. Japan renews its resolve to stand united against impunity.
To conclude, Japan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Court. We take pride in having consistently supported the ICC's activities as the largest financial contributor and the only country in Asia to have referred the Situation in Ukraine to the Court. Building on our past contributions, Japan will continue to strongly support the ICC.
I thank you, Mr. President.
This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute. As a staunch supporter of the ICC, Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to fight against impunity and promote the rule of law.
We are left in no doubt that the rule of law will benefit all countries and regions, leading to sustainable growth as well as the peace and stability of the international community. Together, under the rule of law, the world must protect the right of vulnerable nations and peoples to live in peace, while safeguarding the most fundamental need – human dignity. To this end, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with the ICC, an integral part of the multilateral architecture upholding the rule of law.
In this regard, we are pleased to facilitate the collaboration between the Security Council and the ICC together with Switzerland as co-focal point at the Security Council. Our initiatives for holding the Arria formula meeting in July and the panel discussion in March, which focused on the role of the Court, served as valuable opportunities to exchange views among the Member States. Taking this opportunity, we appreciate all the contributions and insights from many member countries at these events.
Mr. President,
At a time when the world is at a historical juncture, the international community’s expectations for the ICC to make a difference are quite high. Fighting against impunity and promoting the rule of law will be better achieved through a greater number of states joining the ICC, promoting the universality of the Rome Statute. In this context, Japan calls on states who have not yet become States Parties to do so while welcoming the recent ratification of the Rome Statute by Armenia.
Japan also takes this opportunity to express our support for Ukraine’s efforts to ratify the Rome Statute, as it has accepted the exercise of jurisdiction by the Court by declaration lodged with the Registrar. The universality of the Rome Statute continues to be an important goal for Japan and the ICC, and we will spare no effort in partnering with the Court in this endeavor. We believe that universality should enhance the function and mission of the ICC, and that would be of great benefit to upholding the rule of law.
Mr. President,
Following the press release of the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties issued on 10 October this year, we reiterate our commitment to preserve the integrity of the Court undeterred by any threats or measures against the Court, its officials, and those cooperating with it. Japan renews its resolve to stand united against impunity.
To conclude, Japan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Court. We take pride in having consistently supported the ICC's activities as the largest financial contributor and the only country in Asia to have referred the Situation in Ukraine to the Court. Building on our past contributions, Japan will continue to strongly support the ICC.
I thank you, Mr. President.