(As Delivered)
Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Open Debate on
“Sexual Violence in Conflict”
15 April 2015
Madame President,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for convening today’s meeting. I very much appreciate you, Madame President, presides yourself during this lunch session.
I would also like to thank Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Ms. Hamsatu A. Allamin, the representative from civil society, for their briefings.
Last summer when SRSG Bangura visited Japan, she further opened our eyes to the importance of sexual violence in conflict. We look forward to her presence again at the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) to be held in Tokyo in August.
Japan welcomes the Secretary-General’s seventh report on this agenda item. It is a particularly helpful tool for the Security Council to continuously monitor situations in the countries listed, so it can reinforce national-level policy recommendations on each country.
Madame President,
Today, I would like to speak about two points: (1) the importance of support for security and judiciary sectors and (2) counter-measures to violent extremist groups.
(1) The importance of support to the security and judiciary sector (State Actor)
On the first point, the Japanese Government fully supports the SRSG’s priority to strengthening national ownership, leadership and responsibility to cope with sexual violence in conflict.
In this regard, I want to emphasize the importance of fully involving national military forces, police, and judiciary sectors with this agenda. Member States should support governments in building capacity for those sectors.
Regarding this point, Japan is actively supporting the SRSG’s Team of Experts. For example, we are assisting in the reinforcement of the judiciary system and special police unit on women and children in the Republic of the Congo. I was encouraged by the statement by Her Excellency Mrs. Mabunda Lioko of the DRC that the assistance is well appreciated.
(2) Counter-measures to violent extremist groups (Non-State Actor)
On the first point, measures enacted to state actors are not enough to cope with violent extremist groups. I am shocked that the abduction of nearly 300 girls by Boko Haram in Nigeria a year ago has not yet been solved. It is unacceptable that the rise of extremist groups is still mounting, such as ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
As the Secretary-General’s report points out, recent barbarity by extremist groups shows the use of sexual violence as a tactic of terror in order to achieve strategic objectives. These extremist groups aim to create their ideal “state” by controlling the community through fear. They also use abducted women and girls as a reward for soldier recruitment and source of income.
Yesterday my Mission co-hosted a BBC film screening and panel discussion with the office of the SRSG, the International Peace Institute (IPI) and the Iraqi Mission. The aim was to examine the current situation of sexual violence by looking at the abductions of Yazidi women and girls by ISIL in Iraq. Yesterday’s discussion gave us the impression that the extent of terror these groups instill is not fully felt.
It is very timely that the SRSG Bangura is starting her visit to the Middle East tomorrow. We expect positive results.
Madame President,
We have to analyze the objectives of these groups which are still on the rise, while the Security Council needs to build a counter strategy that recognizes the methods employed by these groups, and develop new counter measures.
Japan fully supports the mandate of the SRSG. Last year, we became the top donor to the office of the SRSG and last month contributed $2.55 million dollars of additional financial support.
We are concerned that only a handful of donors are contributing to the office of the SRSG. We encourage other Member States to join us with financial support for this important office.
I thank you, Madame President.
