Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Meeting on the
“Situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” (DPRK)
10 December 2015
Thank you, Madame President,
I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for your leadership, Ambassador Power, in convening the meeting on this Human Rights Day.
I also thank the Security Council for its decision to take up the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for the second time. The decision also reflects the wish of the vast majority of Member States who voted in favor of the relevant General Assembly resolutions on the Situation of human rights in the DPRK (69/188, A/C.3/70/L.35).
My gratitude also goes to the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for their sobering briefings.
Japan has requested to participate in today’s meeting out of concern for the persistent human rights violations by the DPRK not only upon its own citizens but also on foreign nationals including many Japanese.
Madame President,
The ground-breaking report of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in the DPRK, made public in February 2014, shed light on the reality of the situation on the ground from the perspective of the mistreated, the powerless, and the voiceless in the DPRK. Based on the report, the Security Council discussed the situation of human rights in the DPRK for the first time in December last year. This was a historic step forward.
The international community has continued its utmost efforts to improve the situation. The Office of the High Commissioner opened a field office in Seoul in June of this year. I am very encouraged by the statement of the High Commissioner, Prince Zeid, that the Seoul Office has begun collecting testimonies and documenting developments in the human rights situation. And in November, the Third Committee adopted yet another resolution calling for the improvement of the human rights situation in the DPRK with 112 Member States voting in favor. The resolution will be adopted in the plenary next week.
Unfortunately, as the High Commissioner for Human Rights mentioned in his briefing today, the human rights situation in the DPRK remains unchanged. We are deeply concerned about this predicament.
Madame President,
Some delegations have argued that this issue has no relevance to international peace and security. We strongly disagree. Madame President, your statement was very powerful and persuasive on this point. But let me add some elements as well. As Under-Secretary-General Feltman pointed out, serious human rights violations serve as a warning sign of instability and conflict. According to the COI report, the DPRK “seeks to dominate every aspect of its citizens’ lives and terrorizes them from within.” The DPRK’s authorities force ordinary citizens to suffer from fear and want, while diverting resources to nuclear and missile programs in violation of Security Council resolutions.
The failure of any State to abide by Security Council Resolutions and the universal principles of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms should raise legitimate concerns by the Security Council. High Commissioner Zeid clearly said today that human rights situation in the DPRK poses a threat to international peace and security.
Madame President,
Human rights violations not only affect citizens of the DPRK. The COI report states that hundreds of nationals from the Republic of Korea, Japan, and other States were abducted by the DPRK and denied the right to leave the country. I thank those speakers who expressed solidarity with families of abductees.
Japan had high hopes when the DPRK promised last year to commence investigations of all Japanese nationals in the DPRK, including abductees. However, almost eighteen months have passed since then. This issue must be resolved without delay. Japan strongly demands that the DPRK return all abductees as soon as possible through an expeditious investigation.
Madame President,
It is essential that the Security Council remain seized of the situation in the DPRK. We strongly urge the DPRK to respond in good faith to the concerns raised by the Council and improve its human rights situation, which, we believe, will lead to stability in the region.
I thank you, Madame President.
