リビア情勢に関する安保理会合における山﨑大使ステートメント

 
Thank you, Madam President.
 
I thank SRSG Bathily for his insightful briefing and I also welcome Ambassador El-Sonni, Permanent Representative of Libya to today’s meeting.
 
Let me, at the outset, express Japan’s appreciation for the laudable work of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and the ongoing efforts by the Special Representative to overcome the political stalemate in Libya.
 
Japan reiterates its support to SRSG Bathily’s initiative to convene the preparatory meeting of the representatives of the major political stakeholders. This is a key step in addressing the core issues that need to be resolved in order to hold the much-anticipated elections. We call on all parties to respond to the Special Representative’s invitation without preconditions and to engage fully and constructively. In that vein, Japan welcomes the efforts underway on promoting national and local reconciliation in Libya, which reinforces SRSG Bathily’s initiative on the political track.
 
A Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process culminating in free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections is the aspiration of ordinary Libyans. Political leaders must bear their responsibility in realizing this without further delay.
 
Political progress should go hand in hand with ensuring security and stability. In this regard, the work of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission continues to be important, especially with regards to increasing coordination and cooperation between the east and west military institutions as well as accelerating the withdrawal of foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries.
 
Japan remains concerned by the humanitarian and human rights situation in Libya, exacerbated by the rising instability in the region, including in Sudan. The inhumane conditions imposed on migrants and asylum seekers must be addressed and human trafficking and migrant smuggling networks dismantled. On reconstruction and recovery efforts after the catastrophic flooding in eastern Libya last September, which is said to have impacted over 20 per cent of Libya’s population, close collaboration among stakeholders across the country is essential. Reports of shrinking civic space and an increase in human rights violations are greatly distressing. Political progress cannot be genuinely achieved when people are not free from fear and are unable to exercise their fundamental rights.
 
In conclusion, Japan reiterates its firm belief that political stability achieved by establishing a unified and legitimate government through elections is vital for sustainable peace and security in Libya. We remain committed to supporting Libya’s endeavour through Security Council deliberations as well as through our Embassy in Tripoli, which reopened this January after a decade.
 
I thank you.