Statement by Mr. Tetsuya Kimura
Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan
on
Agenda item 64: Report of the Human Rights Council
Third Committee
Sixty-fifth Session of the United Nations General Assembly

2 November 2010
New York

Japanese

Mr. Chairman,

It has been four years since the Human Rights Council (HRC) was established, and in that time Japan has participated actively in its work as a member. It nevertheless recognizes that there are some issues that need to be addressed in order for the Council more effectively and efficiently to improve the human rights situation of the nations of the world. It is for this purpose that in its resolution 60/251, the General Assembly decided to review the status of the HRC within five years of its establishment, and to have the Council review its work and functioning after five years.

Japan therefore welcomes the outcome of the first intergovernmental working group session on the Human Rights Council review, which took place in Geneva last week. For its part, Japan submitted a written contribution to the discussion there, and it continues to participate actively in consideration of the matter.

Mr. Chairman,

Allow me to recall that the HRC was established in 2005 for the purpose of mainstreaming human rights in the UN system within the context of UN reform. When we discuss the HRC review, consequently, we should consider how the UN as a whole can protect and promote human rights in the world, including the roles that the HRC and the Third Committee should play. Clearly, in the view of Japan, the Third Committee should take advantage of its universal character, and coordination should be improved between the HRC and other UN organs, in order to make efforts in the areas of peace and security, development, and human rights mutually reinforcing.

In addition, we should focus on the newly created functions of the HRC, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and discuss whether it is contributing effectively to improvement of human rights situations around the world and how to follow up on its outcome.

Mr. Chairman,

I wish to reiterate that it has consistently been the position of the Government of Japan that the Report of the Council, which is the product of the diligent efforts of the HRC and the in-depth discussions in which it has engaged in Geneva, should be presented directly to the General Assembly, rather than to the Third Committee.

Mr. Chairman,

Discrimination continues to be practiced in places around the world against those afflicted with leprosy. Although leprosy is a curable disease, misunderstanding and ignorance continue to provide the basis for prejudice and discrimination, and this is a situation that must be corrected. To that end, Japan contributed to the process by which the Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council drafted principles and guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members. It also presented to the Council a draft resolution on this subject that was adopted by consensus last month. To promote further recognition of this problem, Japan presented another draft resolution that it hopes will receive the support of all Member States.

In closing, Mr. Chairman,

Through international cooperation based on common goals and understanding, Japan continues to work to enable the HRC to respond quickly, flexibly, and constructively to gross and systematic human rights violations, wherever they may occur. And it will continue to support the OHCHR as it strengthens its activities to achieve positive results in the vitally important field of human rights

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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