武力紛争下の文民保護に関する安保理公開VTCにおける石兼公博大使ステートメント
令和3年5月25日
Mr. President,
I would like to begin by thanking China for convening this important meeting. I thank also the Secretary-General for his report on protection of civilians in armed conflict.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Security Council Resolution 2286 on healthcare in armed conflict, to which Japan contributed as a co-penholder in 2016. It is regrettable that, according to the Secretary-General's report, we continue to witness increased attacks against medical and humanitarian personnel and their facilities in conflict zones. Safe and unimpeded access of humanitarian personnel is a matter of high priority particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as recognized in Resolution 2565 in which the Council urged all parties to protect the delivery of humanitarian aid for essential services concerning vaccinations and medical care. The Council must use its influence to the fullest extent to facilitate the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.
In December 2019, Dr. NAKAMURA Tetsu, the physician and founder-director of a Japanese humanitarian NGO, was killed in a terrorist attack along with his Afghan colleagues in Jalalabad. Dr. Nakamura devoted himself for decades to the promotion of healthcare service and agricultural development for the Afghan people. Japan strongly condemns such heinous attacks against aid workers.
Mr. President,
As a champion of Resolution 2286, Japan has made continuous efforts to ensure its full implementation in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In Afghanistan, Japan supported the efforts to prevent and mitigate violations against medical missions and to ensure access to healthcare services, in coordination with parties to the conflict. In Iraq and South Sudan, Japan promoted awareness-raising campaigns among weapon bearers, authorities and communities to sensitize them to the humanitarian consequences of attacks against medical workers.
Japan is committed to protecting and promoting healthcare on the ground. In February, Japan made a contribution of USD 6.6 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) and the ICRC to protect the people affected by the military operations in Tigray region, Ethiopia. This assistance will enable essential healthcare facilities to be repaired and 50,000 internally displaced persons to receive medical support including mental healthcare. Medical supplies including hygiene products will be provided to 28 healthcare centers.
Mr. President,
Japan firmly believes that international humanitarian law provides a robust legal basis for the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The Security Council must ensure that the key provisions of international humanitarian law are respected. Furthermore, Japan recognizes the critical role of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission in upholding international humanitarian law and reaffirms its support to the Commission.
Japan is determined to continue making every effort for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including through securing essential healthcare. We will continue to work closely with other Member States, the United Nations system, international humanitarian organizations and civil society organizations to contribute in this endeavor.
Thank you.
I would like to begin by thanking China for convening this important meeting. I thank also the Secretary-General for his report on protection of civilians in armed conflict.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Security Council Resolution 2286 on healthcare in armed conflict, to which Japan contributed as a co-penholder in 2016. It is regrettable that, according to the Secretary-General's report, we continue to witness increased attacks against medical and humanitarian personnel and their facilities in conflict zones. Safe and unimpeded access of humanitarian personnel is a matter of high priority particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as recognized in Resolution 2565 in which the Council urged all parties to protect the delivery of humanitarian aid for essential services concerning vaccinations and medical care. The Council must use its influence to the fullest extent to facilitate the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.
In December 2019, Dr. NAKAMURA Tetsu, the physician and founder-director of a Japanese humanitarian NGO, was killed in a terrorist attack along with his Afghan colleagues in Jalalabad. Dr. Nakamura devoted himself for decades to the promotion of healthcare service and agricultural development for the Afghan people. Japan strongly condemns such heinous attacks against aid workers.
Mr. President,
As a champion of Resolution 2286, Japan has made continuous efforts to ensure its full implementation in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In Afghanistan, Japan supported the efforts to prevent and mitigate violations against medical missions and to ensure access to healthcare services, in coordination with parties to the conflict. In Iraq and South Sudan, Japan promoted awareness-raising campaigns among weapon bearers, authorities and communities to sensitize them to the humanitarian consequences of attacks against medical workers.
Japan is committed to protecting and promoting healthcare on the ground. In February, Japan made a contribution of USD 6.6 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) and the ICRC to protect the people affected by the military operations in Tigray region, Ethiopia. This assistance will enable essential healthcare facilities to be repaired and 50,000 internally displaced persons to receive medical support including mental healthcare. Medical supplies including hygiene products will be provided to 28 healthcare centers.
Mr. President,
Japan firmly believes that international humanitarian law provides a robust legal basis for the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The Security Council must ensure that the key provisions of international humanitarian law are respected. Furthermore, Japan recognizes the critical role of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission in upholding international humanitarian law and reaffirms its support to the Commission.
Japan is determined to continue making every effort for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including through securing essential healthcare. We will continue to work closely with other Member States, the United Nations system, international humanitarian organizations and civil society organizations to contribute in this endeavor.
Thank you.