ウクライナにおける残虐行為の責任問題に関するアリア・フォーミュラ会合における木村徹也大使ステートメント
令和4年4月27日
Madam Chair,
I thank Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Mr. Karim Khan and all the briefers for their remarks.
I would also like to thank the Permanent Missions of Albania, France and Ukraine for organizing this meeting.
First of all, allow me to express, on behalf of the Government of Japan, our sense of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Japan has been closely following the consecutive debates related to the current Ukrainian crisis in the Security Council. And, on this occasion, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the briefers in the Security Council so far and our respect for UN and other aid workers who are operating under the extremely difficult environment in Ukraine.
Japan, as a co-hosting country of this meeting, would like to emphasize the urgent need to stop brutal atrocities committed against civilians as we witnessed in Bucha and other cities near Kyiv, and we, the international community, have to immediately address hand in hand the humanitarian crisis unfolding in and around Ukraine.
Japan vehemently condemns the killings of civilians and attacks on civilian infrastructure by Russia. The mass killing of innocent civilians, including children, women, journalists and medical and humanitarian personnel, is a grave breach of international humanitarian law, and constitutes war crimes. These Russian acts are by no means acceptable or permissible from a humanitarian point of view.
Japan will not tolerate impunity for those responsible for violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws. Perpetrators of such acts must be identified and held accountable. Japan has referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court and we look forward to continued progress in the investigation by Prosecutor Khan. We would like to continue to contribute to the ICC’s activities while maintaining close contact with the ICC and its State Parties.
Madam Chair,
What we are witnessing is Russia’s clear and flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter and its disregarding of the resolutions adopted in the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Russia must immediately stop this, withdraw its forces back to Russia, and come back to the path of diplomacy. Japan appreciates the Secretary-General's efforts of good offices and will continue to pay close attention to the situation.
Lastly, Japan supports the efforts for justice and accountability. Sustaining peace will never be achieved without tackling impunity. Japan will continue to work together with our partners to this end.
Thank you.