イエメン情勢に関する安保理ブリーフィングにおける志野大使ステートメント

 
Thank you, Mr. President.
 
I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and ASG Msuya for their informative briefings and their dedicated work.
 
Ten years into the conflict, the situation in and around Yemen remains highly complex and difficult, which is amplified by the alarming developments over the past few days.
 
For today’s meeting, let me focus on four points.
 
First and foremost, as we stated yesterday, Japan would like to reiterate our strong condemnation of the recent drone attack on Tel Aviv by the Houthis.
 
We are seriously concerned about the current situation and calls for no further escalation.
 
The Houthis must immediately stop their threats and hostile rhetoric against Israel, which are further destabilizing the Middle East.
 
Second, Japan unequivocally condemns that the Houthis have detained more than ten personnel from UN agencies and INGOs, and many others supporting humanitarian activities, and denied any access to them for over a month.  
 
These detentions directly impede critical aid delivery in Houthi-controlled areas, where the Yemani people are suffering from dire shortages of food, medicine and other basic human needs, as ASG Msuya has just stated.
 
We demand that the Houthis immediately and unconditionally release not only those detained last month, but also other UN and diplomatic mission staff they have held in captivity for years.  
 
The Houthis must also stop their disinformation campaigns and other impediments to humanitarian aid workers, who are working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of Yemenis.
 
Third, Japan is outraged by the ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.
 
These persistent and ruthless attacks have killed innocent civilians, sunk commercial vessels, and disrupted global maritime transportation.
 
Our indignation also extends to the Houthis for their continued detention of the 25 crew members of the Galaxy Leader for more than 8 months.
 
Once again, the Houthis must immediately cease their threats to international shipping and unconditionally release the Galaxy Leader and its crew, consistent with this Council’s resolutions 2722 and 2739.
 
Fourth and lastly, Japan deeply regrets that the peace process have stagnated over a long time, while the resumption of negotiations on the release of prisoners as well as the latest announcement that the Government of Yemen and the Houthis agreed on several measures are positive developments.
 
We urge all parties concerned to create a conducive environment for peace talks under UN auspices.
 
Japan continues to support the work of the Special Envoy toward lasting peace in Yemen.
 
I thank you.