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Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami
Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Coordination and Management Meeting of the Economic and Social Council
Item 19: Social and human rights questions
(c) Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and (d) Narcotic Drugs
26 July 2016
Mr. President,
Crime prevention and criminal justice are essential to realize a society in which every person can live with a sense of safety. We believe that only in a fair and just society can economic and social development be achieved.
Mr. President,
As the host country of the next UN Crime Congress in 2020, Japan reaffirms its commitment to implement the Doha Declaration which confirms the importance of effective, fair, humane, and accountable crime prevention and criminal justice systems and the institutions comprising them as a central component of the rule of law, as well as the importance of promoting a culture of lawfulness and strengthening public participation. I hope that the 2020 Congress will be fruitful based on the steady implementation of the Doha Declaration by all Member States.
We also believe that advance preparation will be important to the success of the 2020 Crime Congress. In this context, we appreciate that the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) adopted the resolution proposed by Japan, which requests the CCPCJ to approve the overall theme, agenda items and workshop topics of the next Crime Congress at its 26th session to be held in 2017. At the 25th session of the CCPCJ, our Permanent Representative of Japan in Vienna chaired the Committee of the Whole as First Vice Chairperson. These efforts reflect Japan’s commitment to the Crime Congress.
With regard to the overall theme of the next Crime Congress, Japan believes it would be advisable to carry forward the momentum of the Doha Congress, which led to the inclusion of Goal 16 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 16 specifically ensures that the rule of law and peace and security are integral parts of our efforts to achieve sustainable development. Japan emphasizes that the promotion of the rule of law at all levels of society is the core element of achieving Goal 16 and we would like to continue our deliberation on substantive matters including the overall theme of the next Crime Congress.
Mr. President,
Regarding issues related to drug control, Japan welcomes the successful conclusion of the UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS) held last April for the first time in 18 years. We reiterate our strong support for "Our joint commitment to effectively addressing and countering the world drug problem" adopted during this session and will implement it in partnership with the rest of international society. In this connection, the rapid, global spread of synthetic drugs, namely new psychoactive substances (NPS) and methamphetamine is of grave concern to international society. Japan will continue to contribute our knowledge and experience to the global effort to address these emerging challenges as recommended in the outcome document of the UNGASS.
We reaffirm the principal role of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs as the policymaking body of the United Nations with prime responsibility for drug control issues. We also express our support and appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as the leading entity in the United Nations system for addressing and countering the world drug problem.
Mr. President,
Japan has been working actively as a member of both the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), and will continue to play an active role in the areas of crime prevention and criminal justice and narcotic drugs.
Thank you.
