26th Session of UPR, Review of Venezuela, Statement of Japan, Mr. Kansuke Nagaoka, Minister, The Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva (1 November 2016)

Thank you, Mr. President,
 
Japan welcomes Venezuela’s implementation of a series of social policies that have led to progress, including education, housing construction, and reduction in the poverty rate. Japan expects Venezuela to continue to strengthen human rights mainstreaming in its national public policy.
 
In addition, Japan commends Venezuela on its efforts to protect and promote human rights in the country, including through its ratification of the CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) in 2013 and its establishment of the National Human Rights Council. Japan recommends Venezuela to accept the visits requested by the UN special procedure mandate holders and the OHCHR Regional Office for South America. At the same time Japan recommends Venezuela to ratify the CED (Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance) as early as possible.
 
Japan also expresses its concern at the restrictions on media freedom and the administration of justice in Venezuela as pointed out by UN agencies. As such, Japan recommends that Venezuela take concrete measures to ensure free reporting by the media as well as to ensure due process and the independence of the justice system.
 
I thank you Mr. President.