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STATEMENT BY MR. HIROSHI TAJIMA
REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN
ON ITEM 83: THE SCOPE OF LEGAL PROTECTION UNDER THE CONVENTION
ON THE SAFETY OF UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATED PERSONNEL

SIXTH COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2005
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK

Mr. Chairman,

At the outset, we would like to welcome the momentum in international society as a whole for progress in discussions on the safety of United Nations and associated personnel. The outcome document of the 2005 World Summit calls upon states to consider becoming parties to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, and stresses the need to conclude negotiations on a protocol expanding the scope of legal protection during the sixtieth session of the General Assembly.

Mr. Chairman,

Japan regards the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel as an important means to guarantee the safety of those personnel, and has called for expansion of the scope of the Convention as well as for greater participation of states in it. Japan welcomes the continuing active discussions in the current session of the Sixth Committee, and also highly appreciates the great efforts and initiative of Ambassador Wenaweser, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee.

Mr. Chairman,

Japan is of the view that clarity concerning the scope of application is essential in order for this Protocol to apply in domestic courts, and will also be helpful to both host states and posted United Nations and associated personnel. We also believe that, for the sake of the effectiveness of the Protocol, the position of each state should be reflected to the extent possible, in order to enable as many states as possible to join the Protocol. On that basis, we strongly hope that each state will show flexibility for the early adoption of the Protocol, bearing in mind the primary aim of drafting this Protocol, namely, to ensure the safety of UN and associated personnel.

Mr. Chairman,

As expectations for the role played by the United Nations have risen dramatically in light of the increasing frequency of conflicts throughout the world and the continuous need for various forms of humanitarian assistance, the risks faced by United Nations and associated personnel who take active roles in addressing those expectations have grown significantly. Japan attaches great importance not only to the expansion of legal protections through the Protocol but also to greater participation of states in the Convention. We note that there are currently seventy-nine States Parties to the Convention. We welcome the increase in the number of States Parties and at the same time look forward to further progress in that regard.

Related Information (United Nations)
Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations Official Web Site