紛争下の性的暴力関する安保理公開討論における山﨑大使 ステートメント

 
Thank you, Mr. President.
 
I sincerely thank Malta for convening this important meeting. I also thank SRSG Patten, Ms. Ahmadi, and Ambassador Gurira for their comprehensive briefings and their strenuous efforts to raise our awareness on this critically pressing and important issue.
 
Sexual violence in conflict is a serious crime that violates the entire human dignity and must never be tolerated no matter where in the world. Japan is deeply concerned and alarmed by findings in the latest Secretary-General’s report, pointing out the heightened levels of conflict-related sexual violence, fueled by arms proliferation and increased militarization.

As the Secretary-General's report recommends, we must improve prevention of CRSV by incorporating this agenda in arms control and disarmament frameworks, and cross-leveraging related UN mechanisms and tools.     
 
Japan has been a State Party to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) since it came into force in 2014. The treaty requires States Parties to assess the risk that arms exports could be used to commit serious acts of gender-based violence. Japan has prioritized universalization of this treaty and reiterates its call for non-State Parties to join the ATT.
 
To reduce the risk that arms transfers and illicit weapons are used to commit CRSV, we should strengthen international cooperation through frameworks such as the Diversion Information Exchange Forum, a body of the ATT, where information on transfers of illicit weapons is exchanged. Further, we should promote implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects (UN PoA).
 
Mr. President,
 
To promote international cooperation in this field, Japan has contributed 2 million USD to “SALIENT: Saving Lives Entity,” a UN initiative launched in 2020 that supports Member States in tackling armed violence and illicit small arms and light weapons. In its project to curtail small arms, as much as 30 percent of the budget is allocated to gender-related activities, including prevention of gender-based violence. Japan hopes that SALIENT will continue to contribute to reducing gender-based violence related to the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.

Mr. President,
 
We should also ensure women’s participation in the area of arms control and disarmament to adequately address CRSV.

Every year, together with Colombia and South Africa, Japan submits the General Assembly resolution on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons.    

This resolution emphasizes the need for the equal, full and effective participation of women in all decision-making and implementation processes relating to the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument. I invite all Member States to support and fully implement this resolution.
 
At the national level, in Japan’s third National Action Plan on WPS, Japan is explicitly committed to promoting women's participation and incorporating a gender perspective in developing and conducting small arms and light weapons countermeasures and other disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.
 
In conclusion, Japan reaffirms its commitment to the prevention of CRSV through demilitarization, arms control, and disarmament, building on today’s discussions.
 
Thank you.