General Debate on the Item 4 of the 10th Session of the Human Rights Council

General Debate on Item 4

Japan’s Statement

Geneva,17 March 2009
Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva

Thank you, Mr. President.

Under this agenda item, in addition to the situations which our delegation already referred to, we would like to refer to the human rights situations in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Sudan.

Mr. President,

Regarding the situation in Sri Lanka, we are concerned over serious damages and casualties surrounding IDPs and other civilians in the North. We would like to ask the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to abide by the zero civilian casualty policy, and to ensure the safety of IDPs and access to humanitarian assistance by those IDPs.

In order to resolve the ethnic conflict, it is of paramount importance that the political process be pursued. We also hope to see a tangible progress in investigations into past cases of grave violations of human rights. We would like to ask Sri Lanka to continue to make every effort in this regard.

Regarding Cambodia, we appreciate the sincere efforts of the Cambodian government.　Japan will continue to engage itself in the dialogue with the Government and to extend its assistance to the Khmer Rouge trial, training of legal professionals, and so forth.

We hope that a new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia will conduct a fruitful and effective dialogue with the Cambodian government, based on a relationship of mutual trust and with the objective evaluation of the situation on the ground.

As for the situation in Sudan, regardless of the recent decision of the ICC, we urge the Sudanese Government as well as anti-government forces in Sudan to refrain from any actions that would have negative effects on peace process and the humanitarian and security situation. We would also like to call on the Government of Sudan to reconsider its decision to expel 13 international NGO’s from the country, and to ensure the safety of all the humanitarian workers.

We believe the international community should be united to resolutely seek a durable solution based upon “peace” and “justice.” Japan will continue to support the peace process in Sudan, and encourage the Government of Sudan to do its utmost.

I thank you, Mr. President.