Statement by Prof. Yasue Nunoshiba
Special Advisor of the Government of Japan
On Item 68(a): Implementation of Human Rights Instruments
Seventy-first Session of the Third Committee
Of the General Assembly of the United Nations
18 October 2016
Madam Chair,
Human rights and fundamental freedoms in each country are the cornerstone of a peaceful, stable and prosperous international society. Protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms is the most fundamental responsibility of any nation. International community as a whole should also be concerned.
On this basis, Japan has been contributing to resolve and improve human rights issues of concern to the international community through both multilateral fora and bilateral dialogues.
Madam Chair,
The Human Rights Council and the human rights treaty bodies play important roles in improving human rights situations by promoting Member States to ratify major human rights treaties and securing their implementation. I should like to emphasize the particular role of the Universal Periodic Review, which encourages each State to improve its human rights situation through dialogue and cooperation. The treaty bodies’ consideration of the periodic reports serves as an important implementation mechanism.
This February, Japan’s combined seventh and eighth periodic report was considered by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Japanese Delegation engaged in constructive and productive dialogue with the Committee. Japan introduced some of the specific measures we have be implementing in order to establish “a society in which women shine.” They were a legal framework related to women’s empowerment, and our international efforts, such as hosting the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) to give you some examples. In other Committees, Japan submitted periodic reports to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in June and to the Committee on Enforced Disappearances in July. We look forward to productive dialogues during their consideration.
Let me now introduce an example of Japan’s engagement to follow-up on the recommendations from the committees. After receiving recommendations from the Human Rights Committee and Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Japanese parliament adopted a bill to combat hate speech in May. The bill prohibits any kind of exclusion based on ethnicity or nationality and stipulates that the national and local governments have responsibilities to combat discriminatory behaviors. The Japanese government will engage proactively to raise awareness of the problem of hate speech and the importance of embracing diversity in order to establish a society in which everyone’s human rights are respected.
Madam Chair,
The human rights treaty bodies very remain important instruments for securing human rights, and strengthening and improving their effectiveness is crucial. According to the Secretary-General’s report, the effectiveness of the committees’ work has been improved through the implementation of the GA resolution 68/268. The government of Japan highly appreciates tireless efforts and a number of achievements of the Committees. Nonetheless, we expect advanced efficiency be achieved by various measures such as the simplified reporting procedure. Japan also welcomes the trainings for capacity building on periodic report held in the Asia-Pacific Region. We expect such efforts will contribute to further improving the human rights situation in each Member State.
Madam Chair,
Let me reiterate that Japan will continue to strive for the protection and promotion of human rights domestically and internationally through cooperation with the all partners including the United Nations.
