第37回人権理事会　議題4　シリア人権状況独立調査委員会とのインタラクティブ・ダイアログにおける志野大使のステートメント（平成30年3月13日）

　Thank you, Mr. President.

　Japan welcomes the update of the COI report and appreciates the Commission’s relentless efforts to carry out its mandate. The COI investigation is vital in order to ensure accountability for the human rights situation in Syria. Japan urges the Syrian government to cooperate fully with the COI, including by assuring safe and unhindered access to the territories of the Syrian Arab Republic.

　Japan expresses deep concern at the continuation of airstrikes and shelling in Syria, despite the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2401, which calls for all parties to implement a ceasefire for at least 30 consecutive days. Japan urges all parties to implement the resolution fully and swiftly.

　Japan regrets that the mandate of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) was not renewed at the UN Security Council last December. We would like to clarify our position that we do not tolerate the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances and condemn their use in the strongest possible terms. Japan urges the immediate cessation of the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

　Japan remains concerned by the humanitarian conditions in the besieged areas indicated in the COI report. In particular, considering the ongoing restrictions on consignments of medical supplies to Eastern Ghouta, we request the Syrian government to ensure safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian convoys, including medical supplies, into Eastern Ghouta and all besieged areas. Japan further requests that people in Eastern Ghouta be permitted to evacuate for the purpose of receiving medical treatment.

　Japan strongly supports the UN initiative of the “Geneva Process,” and is committed to cooperating with the international community toward the cessation of all violence and improvements in the human rights situation in the country.