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Statement by H.E. Mr. Katsunobu Kato
 Minister in Charge of the Abduction Issue
At Panel Discussion “Human Rights Situation in the DPRK:
  Current Situation and Initiatives by the International Community”

United Nations Headquarters, New York
1 December 2016

 

 

Ambassador Almeida, Ambassador Bird, Ambassador King, Ambassador Lee Jung-Hoon, and distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

                        

          It is a great honor to talk to all of you about the abduction of Japanese citizens conducted by the DPRK, an issue which is of paramount importance to the Abe administration, on behalf of the Government of Japan before the diplomatic corps representing countries, experts, civil society, and the media.

 

          I hosted an international symposium entitled “Human Rights Situation in DPRK – Strategies towards Restoration of Humanity”here at the United Nations Headquarters last May. I am honored to see again today, Ms. Param-Preet Signh, who helped me with that symposium, and the regular members of the “international team” working on the human rights issues of the DPRK and comrades of mine, Ambassador King and Ambassador Lee Jung-Hoon.

 

          Today, I will talk about the issue of abductions committed by the DPRK. There is an independent section entitled “Abductions and enforced disappearances from other countries” in the COI report. The report provides details of various cases of abductions of the citizens of many countries, including Republic of Korea, Japan, Lebanon, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore and Romania. The COI concludes that the abductions and enforced disappearances by the DPRK may amount to “crimes against humanity.”

 

          The Government of Japan has identified 17 citizens as victims of abduction committed by the DPRK, and police authorities areinvestigating more than 800 cases in which the possibility of abduction by the DPRK cannot be ruled out. On these bases the COI concluded, “It is probable that at least 100 Japanese nationals have been abducted by the DPRK.” The issue of abductions committed by the DPRK is a matter of great concern that undermines the sovereignty of countries concerned and the lives and safety of their citizens. At the same time, the issue is a grave matter in terms of human rights and humanitarian concerns as the abductees’ precious future and the invaluable bond with their families have been taken away.

 

          Seventeen Japanese citizens, identified as abductees by the Government of Japan, were abducted in the 1970s and the 1980s, some of whom were from coastal areas of Japan and others from foreign countries in which they were studying abroad. In September 2002 when then Prime Minister Koizumi visited there and met with Kim Jong-il, then Chairman of National Defense Commission of the DPRK, he admitted to the abductions for the first time and issued an apology. The five survivors Chairman Kim Jong-il acknowledged were able to return to Japan; however, after submitting the remains of two out of the eight victims they claimed were dead, which actually belonged to other people, the DPRK still has not provided any credible evidence linked to the rest of the victims and has instead stuck by its claim of eight victims being dead and four others never entering the DPRK. Japanese side is not entirely convinced of such explanation. Ms. Megumi Yokota, who was abducted on her way home from school when she was 13, is included among the victims who the DPRK claimed to be dead.

 

          The Government of Japan has consistently demanded that the DPRK secure the safety of the abductees, bring them back to Japan immediately, reveal the whole truth, and hand over the perpetrators. As a consequence, the DPRK agreed to conduct an investigation of all Japanese, including those who may have been abducted, at the Intergovernmental Consultations in May 2014. Since then, however, they have not provided any concrete investigative results, nor has the repatriation of abductees been realized. On the other hand, they even conducted a nuclear test and launched ballistic missiles early this year. In addition, the DPRK unilaterally announced the dissolution of the Special Investigation Committee after the Government of Japan decided to introduce measures against them. It is not acceptable for the Government of Japan to see no progress has been made towards the resolution of the abduction issue.

 

          On November 30, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2321, which notably reinforces sanctions on North Korea. This is the first time that a Security Council resolution regarding the DPRK expresses in an operative clause its deep concern over the grave hardships that the people in DPRK are subjected to. As the Resolution demonstrates, the international community must closely coordinate policies and take strong action against the DPRK, which has repeatedly taken provocative actions, ignoring the views of the international community on the common concerns of human rights, nuclear, and missile issues. As the COI report states, the abductions by the DPRK have been committed in many countries. The abduction issue is a challenge to all of international community which shares fundamental human rights, a universal value of humanity. They indeed rob each one of the abductees of their future. We need to work together with the international community to resolve this issue.

 

          Even now, at this very moment, in the harsh environment of the DPRK, many people are being deprived of fundamental human rights and are waiting for us to rescue them. Mr. Takuya Yokota, brother of Ms. Megumi Yokota, gave a presentation in the symposium in May. Giving the examples of human rights violations committed by Hitler and Milosevic, he said that we, that is, the people who learned from history and fully enjoy freedom, have an obligation and responsibility to rescue those who are deprived of freedom and waiting to be rescued. I was extremely moved by his pleading, as a brother whose 13-year-old sister, always cheerful like a sunflower in the family, was suddenly taken away in his childhood.

 

          For those who are waiting to be rescued from the DPRK, and their families, there is not a day to lose. Respect for fundamental human rights, which is clearly stipulated in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a value common to all humanity. The international community must proactively protect it.

 

          International community would attach great value to a Security Council referral to the International Criminal Court as one of the strongest measures ensuring the accountability of the DPRK for its crimes against humanity. To that end, a unified action of the permanent members of the Security Council is imperative. I wish to take this opportunity to call on all members of the United Nations, including the permanent members of the Security Council, to be united in taking action to safeguard human dignity the world over.

 

          Currently, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK, Mr. Quintana, who took over for Mr. Marzuki Darusman, is investigating measures to seek the accountability of the DPRK for its human rights violations, together with the group of experts.

 

          Last week, I met with Mr. Quintana in Tokyo. I conveyed the commitment of the Government of Japan to the abduction issue, and said that it would make maximum efforts to support the activities of the Special Rapporteur and the group of experts. I am sure that the desperate pleas of the families he and the two experts met were eloquent enough to convey the tragedy of the abductions and the urgency of the rescue of abductees.

 

          It is natural for the Government of Japan to take a proactive approach so as to realize the return of the Japanese abductees home. Based on the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration signed by leaders of Japan and DPRK in 2002, the Government of Japan has constantly and patiently urged the DPRK to sincerely work on various outstanding issues such as human rights including the abduction, nuclear and missile issues.

 

          The Government of Japan wishes to make the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK Kim Jong-un understand the actual intent of these words of Prime Minister Abe’s: “It will be impossible for DPRK to envision their future without resolution of the abduction issue.” Therefore, under the principle of dialogue and pressure and action for action, we will take all manner of measures, including resolutions of the UN Security Council against the DPRK as leverage, so as to encourage through dialogue the DPRK to take concrete actions.

 

          The circumstances surrounding the DPRK have become inevitably harsh and pressing. As the Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue, however, if there is even the slightest chance of doing so, I would wish to take that chance as a breakthrough and to pursue new opportunities to rescue our fellow citizens who have long been held captive in the DPRK.

 

          At the same time, the Government of Japan will continue to work closely with the United Nations and the countries whose representatives are gathered here today so that human dignity is secured not only for abductees from Japan or other countries, but also for the many citizens subjected to the harsh conditions in the DPRK. Let us work together to realize a world in which the values shared by all humanity can be enjoyed everywhere on earth.

 

          Thank you very much.