Statement by the Press Secretary/ Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Decision by the Government of Sudan to Expel International NGOs Operating in Darfur

March 9, 2009
Japanese

The Government of Japan expresses strong concern about the decision by the Government of Sudan on March 4th to expel 13 international NGOs and to order the dissolution of two domestic NGOs, as this decision seriously affects the humanitarian and reconstruction assistance activities not only in Darfur but throughout Sudan. The Government of Japan fully supports the statement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations issued on March 5th and urges the Government of Sudan to reconsider its decision.
Based on the Joint Communiqué signed by the Government of Sudan and the U.N. in March 2007, Japan calls on the Government of Sudan to cooperate with the U.N. and international NGOs so that they can continue their humanitarian assistance activities in Darfur.
Japan urges the Government of Sudan and all the other parties in Sudan to refrain from any actions that would have negative effects on the cooperation with the African Union and the U.N. as well as the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur. Japan also requests the Government of Sudan to fulfill its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of civilians and personnel of peacekeeping missions on the ground.

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