シリア国際公平独立メカニズム（IIIM）に関する国連総会討論における志野大使ステートメント

 
Thank you, Mr. President.
 
I thank Ms. Catherine Marchi-Uhel, Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), for her valuable briefing, and express our gratitude to her and her team for their dedicated work.
 
Mr. President,
 
As the conflict in Syria enters its 14^th year and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, we must remind ourselves that a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process under UN auspices is the only path to peace and stability.
 
An important component of this political process is ensuring that justice and accountability are achieved. The work of the IIIM remains indispensable to that end.

Japan welcomes the considerable progress made towards the Mechanism’s objective of facilitating inclusive justice for the victims of the most serious crimes committed in Syria since March 2011. It is imperative that those responsible for core international crimes committed in Syria be held accountable.
 
In this regard, the expanded volume and quality of the IIIM’s support have led to justice outcomes and new opportunities in several jurisdictions concerning various crimes, perpetrators groups and communities of victims/survivors.
 
We are pleased that the Mechanism has advanced the implementation of its strategic plan for the period 2023-2025. We fully acknowledge that the Mechanism’s victim/survivor-centered approach continues to be at the heart of its work.
 
Its intensified cooperation and engagement with civil society actors will deepen its understanding of the perspectives and needs of the affected communities, thereby strengthening accountability efforts. Moreover, the continued focus on thematic issues, such as gender perspectives, facilitates the implementation of more holistic approaches.
 
In addition, clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing persons remains a crucial issue that needs to be urgently addressed. While the establishment of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria is a significant step forward, the work of the IIIM must have a synergy effect on this initiative and in this vein, Japan appreciates that the Mechanism is prepared to fully cooperate.
 
In closing, the Syrian people have endured extraordinary suffering for over a decade. Escalating violence in Syria and the region, socio-economic deterioration, and the repercussions of the 2023 devastating earthquakes have pushed 16.7 million people to need humanitarian assistance.
 
For our part, Japan will continue to support initiatives, including the IIIM, and also contribute as a member of the Security Council to advancing a comprehensive and inclusive political process in Syria in line with Security Council Resolution 2254.
 
I thank you, Mr. President.