第41回人権理事会　議題4一般討論における岡庭健大使によるステートメント（令和元年7月3日）

General Debate on Item 4 — Statement of Japan
Ambassador Ken OKANIWA
Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva
3 July 2019

Thank you, Mr. President.

Japan continues to be concerned about the situation of human rights in the Middle East, including Syria, and in Asia, including Myanmar. With regard to Latin America and Africa, Japan is taking a close look at the situations in Venezuela and Sudan. Japan has already expressed, or will express, its position on the human rights situations of other countries of concerns at the respective interactive dialogues.

With regard to the DPRK, the early resolution of the abductions issue remains an urgent issue. Japan and the DPRK should overcome mutual mistrust and deepen cooperation with each other. Japan would like to call upon the DPRK to work together in seeking its bright future.

In the Asia-Pacific region, despite remarkable economic development, there remain not a few challenges to democratization and consolidation of democracy. Japan expresses its concern at the persistent repression of citizens’ basic rights and freedoms in the region, including those of human rights defenders and minorities.

In order to address these issues effectively and efficiently, Japan will actively lead the discussion on the reforms of the international human rights mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Treaty Bodies.

I thank you, Mr. President.