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Statement by Ms. Eriko Uemura
Adviser, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
Agenda Item134: Proposed Programme Budget for the biennium 2016-2017
Subvention to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)
Main part of the Seventy-first Session
Fifth Committee of the General Assembly
20 October 2016

 

 

Madam Chair,

 

          At the outset, I would like to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General and Controller and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing their respective reports. Today I wish to share my delegation’s views on the relevant reports on the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). 

 

Madam Chair,

 

          Japan attaches great importance to the ECCC and has been significantly engaged in and contributed to it. We believe that the ECCC is applying the final touches to the peace process in Cambodia, which Japan has long been actively supporting. In this regard, my delegation welcomes the progress achieved in Cases 002, 003 and 004, which show they are moving forward step-by-step in serving justice in Cambodia. However, Japan notes with concern that the revised completion plan now foresees judicial activity for several years beyond the current financial period. We would like to encourage the Secretary-General to implement all necessary measures to expedite case completion, including the need for the plan to reflect firmer completion milestones, while fully respecting the requirements of the judicial process.  

 

Madam Chair,  

 

          My delegation recognizes that the ECCC has been facing serious financial difficulties, and understands that this critical situation needs to be dealt with in order for the Courts to continue carrying out its judicial activities. In this connection, we are concerned about the increasing reliance on the subventions from the regular budget of the United Nations, which would undermine the voluntary nature of the current funding arrangements and related fundraising efforts. Japan would like to encourage all Member States to provide voluntary contributions and requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts towards fundraising in order to obtain further voluntary contributions, taking into account Operative Paragraph 3 of General Assembly Resolution 57/228, which states that the expenses of the ECCC shall be borne by voluntary contributions from the international community.  

 

Madam Chair,

 

          My delegation looks forward to participating in the discussion on this agenda item constructively under your able guidance.    

 

I thank you, Madam Chair.