Statement by H. E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the United Nations Security Council Open Debate
On “Trafficking in Persons in Conflict Situations:
Forced Labor, Slavery and Similar Practices”
15 March 2017

 

 

Mr. President,

          Japan appreciates United Kingdom’s initiative for convening this open debate. I would also like to thank the briefers for their valuable inputs.

          As Da’esh uses sexual exploitation as means of their terrorist activities, many terrorist groups, transnational criminal organizations and armed groups use trafficking in persons as their methods for fundraising and recruitment. This is totally unacceptable. Regrettably, trafficking of children and exploiting them as combatants in armed conflicts are also taking place in different part of the world.

          These examples demonstrate how violations of human rights and human dignity also become threats to international peace and security. The Security Council must therefore proactively address this issue.

 

Mr. President,

          Resolution 2331, which was adopted last December, calls upon the Member States to fully implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol on trafficking in persons. This Convention and the Protocol are universal legal frameworks to combat trafficking in persons, and for its full implementation, technical assistance by United Nations agencies to Member States is key.

          Japan therefore attaches great importance to the assistance provided by the UNODC and is stepping up its support to UNODC. In this regard, Japan has pledged approximately 23 million US dollars to the UNODC which should be disbursed by the end of this month.  This contribution is aimed to bolster terrorism prevention and to build capacity on law enforcement, mainly targeting countries in Africa.

 

Mr. President,

          The global number of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons has reached a new record since World War II. Among the many vulnerable groups in the world, displaced populations are increasingly being targeted by human traffickers.

          Based on the concept of human security, which is a human-centered approach that places the interests of individuals as a priority, Japan attaches importance on identifying, protecting and providing assistance to victims.

          In this regard, Japan has been contributing to IOM’s programmes against trafficking in persons in countries such as Somalia and Djibouti, to name just a few. I am confident that such efforts will help combat the root causes of trafficking in persons and lead to the promotion of international peace and security.

          In addition, cooperation of all actors who are engaged in peace and security, development, humanitarian affairs and human rights, both within and outside of the United Nations is crucial.

 

Mr. President,

          In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to combating trafficking in persons. This issue should be addressed through various fora inside and outside the Security Council.

 

          The high-level meeting of the General Assembly to discuss the implementation of the Global Plan of Action on Trafficking in Persons in October of this year, will be an important opportunity to assess achievements, gaps and challenges.  We look forward to intensifying efforts and discussions towards this meeting and beyond.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.