The 41st Session of the Human Rights Council Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the High Commissioner on Venezuela Statement by Mr. Masashi NAKAGOME, Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva (5 July 2019)

The 41st Session of the Human Rights Council (5 July 2019)
Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the High Commissioner on Venezuela
Statement by Mr. Masashi NAKAGOME
Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva

Thank you, Mr. President.

Japan welcomes Madam High Commissioner’s visit to Venezuela and appreciates the report that she presented today.

As noted in the report, grave violations of human rights remain widespread in Venezuela. We are particularly concerned for those in vulnerable situations.

We welcome the agreement between the OHCHR and the Government of Venezuela on establishing the Office of the High Commissioner in Venezuela and hope that this office will contribute to an improvement of the human rights situation in Venezuela.

While we believe there is much to be done in Venezuela, we wish to know, Mdm High Commissioner, the priorities of the Office and its strategy for making improvements to the human rights situation in Venezuela.

Since FY2017, Japan has provided assistance amounting to 1.15 billion yen (approximately US$10.27 million) in total, which directly benefits the Venezuelan people, including those fleeing the country, as well as the neighboring countries affected. Japan will continue to provide such support in order to lend a hand to those who are in a difficult predicament.

Thank you, Mr. President.