Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMANAKA Osamu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Economic and Social Council Special Meeting on “Social and economic measures to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity”
2023/1/24
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Japan welcomes this special meeting as a member of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, having presented informative perspectives and measures for the implementation of R2P.
For the rule of law, an important factor of R2P, Japan has provided various assistance, as capacity building is important for the prevention of atrocity crimes. Such assistance ranges from legal and judicial system reform, drafting of laws and regulations to capacity building of officials to operate and enforce legal systems and on internal audits.
In March 2021, Japan also hosted the 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, "Kyoto Congress", in cooperation with the UNODC. The unanimous adoption of the Kyoto Declaration as the outcome document is highly significant, which serves as a medium- to long-term guideline for the United Nations and its member states in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, and Japan continues to exercise its leadership in implementing the Declaration.
The rule of law constitutes the foundation not only for domestic social stability, but also for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is therefore inextricably linked to the responsibilities of the Security Council. The rule of law can only be upheld through cooperation among nations within the framework of multilateralism with the UN at its core and the Security Council should be its guardian. This month, as the President of the Security Council, Japan held an open ministerial debate to reaffirm the rule of law, attended by 77 member states, the Secretary-General, the ICJ President, and other participants. On this occasion, Japan called for "Uniting for the Rule of Law," and will actively contribute to the promotion of the rule of law not only at the domestic level, but also at the international level among nations.
It is crucial to establish the rule of law and prevent R2P-related crimes by combining such international efforts. We call on the UN to play a greater role.
Thank you.
Japan welcomes this special meeting as a member of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, having presented informative perspectives and measures for the implementation of R2P.
For the rule of law, an important factor of R2P, Japan has provided various assistance, as capacity building is important for the prevention of atrocity crimes. Such assistance ranges from legal and judicial system reform, drafting of laws and regulations to capacity building of officials to operate and enforce legal systems and on internal audits.
In March 2021, Japan also hosted the 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, "Kyoto Congress", in cooperation with the UNODC. The unanimous adoption of the Kyoto Declaration as the outcome document is highly significant, which serves as a medium- to long-term guideline for the United Nations and its member states in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, and Japan continues to exercise its leadership in implementing the Declaration.
The rule of law constitutes the foundation not only for domestic social stability, but also for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is therefore inextricably linked to the responsibilities of the Security Council. The rule of law can only be upheld through cooperation among nations within the framework of multilateralism with the UN at its core and the Security Council should be its guardian. This month, as the President of the Security Council, Japan held an open ministerial debate to reaffirm the rule of law, attended by 77 member states, the Secretary-General, the ICJ President, and other participants. On this occasion, Japan called for "Uniting for the Rule of Law," and will actively contribute to the promotion of the rule of law not only at the domestic level, but also at the international level among nations.
It is crucial to establish the rule of law and prevent R2P-related crimes by combining such international efforts. We call on the UN to play a greater role.
Thank you.