Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Briefing on PKO Police Commissioners  

 10 November 2016

 

 

Mr. President,

 

          I would like to begin by thanking USG Ladsous and the Police Commissioners of UNMISS, UNAMID, MINUSTAH and MINUSMA for sharing their experiences with us. I also express my heartfelt appreciation to all peacekeepers for their contributions in the face of severe challenges on the ground.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Today’s briefings reminded us of the complex and diverse mandates being undertaken by UN Police Components, including the protection of civilians, creating amenable conditions for humanitarian assistance, supporting peace processes, restructuring and reforming the security sector, and promoting the rule of law and human rights.

 

          I would like to focus today on national police capacity building in line with the presentation by Mr. Monchotte, MINUSTAH’s Police Commissioner. I also listened to the interesting reference to capacity building of the local police force focusing on the gender issue provided by the Police Commissioner of UNAMID. As pointed out by one briefer, though it may not be always the top priority in all cases in the short-term, I believe one of our long-term priorities should be to help build and reform the policing and law enforcement institutions of host States. This process will enable these institutions to play a sustained role in maintaining peace and security, including after the withdrawal of peace operations.

 

Mr. President,

 

          UNMIT in Timor-Leste was a particularly solid example of the successful deployment of civilian police experts. National Police commanders identified the greatest improvements in administrative support areas, such as project management, training, development and maintenance of databases, human resources and finance. Work to strengthen the capacity of the National Police contributed to UNMIT’s successful closure at the end of 2012.

 

          MINUSTAH has the potential to be another successful example in this area. While challenges remain, MINUSTAH has successfully supported the Haitian National Police in a number of areas centered on capacity and the rule of law.  Progress has been made through community violence reduction programs, improved criminal justice procedure, security sector reform, joint patrols, community policing, and development of the 2017-2021 strategic plan.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Police capacity building efforts like these can play a major role in enabling UN peace operations to draw down and eventually withdraw. 

          On this note, I would like to thank Mr. Monchotte for providing us with interesting statistics of important and listing of remaining challenges. I have a question for Mr. Monchotte. Could you describe in concrete terms some examples of successes and lessons learned from addressing challenges you have faced on the ground in police capacity building?

 

I thank you, Mr. President.