Statement by Ambassador Nishida

about the draft resolution on the Situation of Human Rights

in the DPRK at the Third Committee

on 27 November 2012

• The international community, including the United Nations, has consistently expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in the DPRK. Although the promotion and protection of all human rights are a legitimate concern of the international community and Japan believes that human rights issues should be addressed through constructive dialogue and cooperation, we still think it is necessary to strongly urge the DPRK, through the adoption of this draft resolution, to improve its situation.

• The discussion for the improvement of human rights situations in each member state has been taking place at the Human Rights Council, in particular at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). I would like to point out however, as Special Raportour Mr. Marzuki Darusman stated here in this Third Committee this month, that the DPRK has not accepted any of 167 recommendations that were made as the result of the UPR to which the DPRK joined in December 2009. We are deeply concerned about the DPRK’s overall refusal of any dialogue and cooperation with the special procedures mandated by the Human Rights Council, which mutually complement the UPR. We are gravely disappointed by the fact that the DPRK has refused to cooperate with the UN human rights mechanisms.

• The abductions issue remains deeply concerned. Out of the 17 Japanese citizens identified by the Government of Japan as victims of abduction by the DPRK, twelve have not yet returned to their motherland. In addition, there are still other cases in which the possibility of abduction by the DPRK cannot be ruled out. As the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Noda, stated in his address to the Sixty-seventh Session of the UN General Assembly, “the issue of abductions by the DPRK represents a violation of basic human rights. Thus, this is a universal issue and a matter of great concern for the entire international community.” In accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration in 2002, Japan will continue to seek resolving outstanding issues of concern with the DPRK, including the abductions issue, and call on the DPRK to take concrete actions toward this goal.

• It is for these reasons that Japan, together with EU, has brought this resolution to the General Assembly.

• Japan therefore urges all of the distinguished delegates here today to support the draft resolution. We believe that its adoption will contribute to realizing a solution to the situation of human rights in the DPRK in general and to the abductions issue in particular. And we call on the DPRK to receive the message in good faith and to respond to the concerns expressed by the international community.

• I thank all of the distinguished delegates for their understanding and support to this resolution.

I thank you, Mr.Chairman.