第37回人権理事会　議題7　パレスチナ及び他のアラブ占領地域における人権状況に関する一般討論における志野大使のステートメント（平成30年3月20日）

Mr. President,

We take note of the OHCHR reports and statement by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories and the Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that calls for the release of Palestinian child detainees and the holding of a trial in strict observance of international legal standards. In this connection, we would like to recall that Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states that: “arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.”

Japan expresses concern at restrictions being placed on the freedom of movement of Palestinians in connection with the demolition of homes and forced evictions related to construction work that have been taking place in the occupied territories. Construction and expansion of settlements in the occupied territories are unlawful under international law and inhibit efforts toward reaching a two-states solution. Japan calls for the immediate cessation of such activities and requests that necessary measures be taken for the protection of human rights.

Japan places importance on the improvement of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Occupied Palestinian Territories. From this perspective, Japan will continue to provide assistance for improving the living conditions of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and will also contribute to improvements to the economic and social conditions of Palestine refugees through our assistance for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

I thank you, Mr. President.