(As delivered)

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Iraq
22 May 2017

 

 

Mr. President,

 

I would like to thank Mr. Jan Kubis for his informative briefing.  I also commend his tireless efforts for national reconciliation and stability in Iraq.

 

Before I begin my statement, Japan strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Baghdad and Basra last Friday. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and pray for speedy recovery of the injured.

 

Japan supports the government of Iraq standing on the front line in the fight against terrorism, especially ISIL. Following the liberation of Eastern Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces, with support from the Combined Joint Task Force, are recapturing Western Mosul. We are encouraged to hear that the completion of this operation is within reach.

 

Today, I would like to focus on the protection of civilians, the humanitarian situation, and national reconciliation.

 

First, protection of civilians is an immediate challenge which all parties in Iraq must address, particularly in the context of the liberation operations. Approximately 200,000 people are living in ISIL-controlled areas of Western Mosul. Japan supports the Iraqi government’s commitment to place the protection of civilians at the center of its military operations. Procedures and tactics of military operations should be always designed to minimize the impact on civilians, based on lessons learned from past operations. Furthermore, all parties, including Iraqi security forces and the Peshmerga, should bear in mind that human rights abuses simply lead to further enmity and violence. Any human rights abuse, whether it be against Shiites, Sunnis, the Yazidi minority or others, is totally unacceptable. It benefits nobody in Iraq, except terrorists. Protection of civilians is not only an obligation. Protection of civilians decreases the motivation for reprisals and is paramount to sustaining peace.

 

Second, the humanitarian situation in Iraq is a serious challenge, both in the immediate term and long term. OCHA estimates that 11 million people in Iraq are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 3.1 million people internally displaced. The humanitarian situation is particularly severe for people displaced by the fighting, including nearly 678,000 people who have been displaced from Mosul. Japan applauds the UN and all humanitarian workers in Iraq for their tireless efforts in extremely difficult circumstances. Japan has been a steadfast supporter of humanitarian and stabilization assistance in Iraq, including through a 100 million dollar contribution announced this January. This has already been disbursed to various international organizations such as UNDP to support rapid rehabilitation of key infrastructure and livelihoods in newly liberated areas. Japan is firmly determined to continue such support. Japan calls on the international community to continue its robust support for Iraq.

 

Finally, national reconciliation is the most critical condition for a peaceful and stable Iraq. The operation to liberate Mosul is ongoing, but it is not too early to discuss the post-liberation phase. Without real national reconciliation, peace cannot be sustained in Iraq. The unity demonstrated by the Iraqi people in the fight against ISIL must be further strengthened in the post-ISIL phase.

We welcomed the visit by Secretary-General Guterres to Iraq in March. I particularly appreciated that he had serious discussions on national reconciliation.

Iraq’s efforts on national reconciliation have not yet achieved sufficient results. Japan calls on all parties in Iraq, including representatives of political parties, religious leaders, local community leaders, to make every effort to promote national reconciliation.

The role of UNAMI is also crucial in supporting national reconciliation efforts by the Iraqi people. I thank Mr. Kubis for engaging actively with the government, other political leaders and the civil society. I particularly commend the “Iraq: Youth and Coexistence” initiative. Investing in the future through the youth is an approach which Japan has taken in several countries in need of reconciliation. Japan will continue to strongly support Iraq and UNAMI in their efforts for national reconciliation. We look forward to seeing tangible results.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.