(As delivered)

 

Statement by Minister Takeshi Akahori

At the Briefing of the United Nations Security Council

On “the Situation in Libya”

Security Council Chamber

26 May 2016

 

Thank you Mr. President,

 

          I would like to join previous speakers in thanking Prosecutor Bensouda for the presentation of her eleventh report on Libya. Japan is committed to the establishment of the rule of law in the international community and is convinced of the importance of accountability. This is why Japan has consistently supported the activities of the ICC. I would like to assure the Prosecutor of Japan’s full support for the work of her Office.

 

Mr. President,

 

          The Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1970(2011) and referred the situation in Libya to the Prosecutor of the ICC. The Council decided that the Libyan authorities shall cooperate fully with the ICC and put them under the obligation to do so. It is encouraging that Libya has been cooperative with the ICC on many occasions to achieve justice in Libya. We hope that the cooperation will be enhanced. We also value and appreciate the cooperation extended to the ICC by the relevant States, such as Jordan and Tunisia. Cooperation is a vital element for the ICC to function effectively and produce a successful outcome.

 

Mr. President,

 

          The security situation in Libya continues to be unstable. It is therefore not hard to imagine the serious difficulties faced by the Office of the Prosecutor in conducting investigations. However, it is unfortunate to learn from the briefing that, despite the tireless efforts by the Prosecutor, little progress has been made on the cases. Mr. Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi still remains out of ICC’s custody, while the Pre-Trial Chamber decided on December 2014 that refusing to surrender Mr. Gaddafi to the ICC is an act of non-compliance by Libya. We encourage the relevant authorities of countries concerned, including the Government of National Accord in Libya, to make further efforts to cooperate with the ICC on this matter.

 

Mr. President,

 

          We are also disturbed by reports of continuing violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Libya. In light of the importance of achieving accountability in the political process, we cannot simply let such crimes and violations remain unpunished. As this Council called for in relevant resolutions, those perpetrators must be held accountable. In this connection, we note that the Office of the Prosecutor has been assessing the crimes allegedly committed by the ISIL(Da’esh) and will possibly open an investigation. We look forward to a further update on this.

 

          In light of the challenges that Libya faces, it is of paramount importance to support the Government of National Accord and to conclude the political process in a peaceful and inclusive manner. In this regard, the Government of Japan reiterates its support to Mr. Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, on his efforts to conclude a UN-facilitated and Libyan-led political process that seeks to secure peace, stability and prosperity to the people of Libya.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Japan is fully committed to the ICC including the Office of the Prosecutor. As a member of the Security Council, we would like to work to strengthen the relationship between this Council and the ICC.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.