Women's Issues
Speech by the Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Nobuo Kishi to the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict 12 June
June 20, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, I am reassured that such a large number of people have expressed their concern about sexual violence in conflict by joining this Global Summit.
This fact illustrates that the issue of sexual violence in conflict is no longer a matter affecting a specific number of countries. It is a problem acknowledged as such by the international community as a whole.
Sexual violence in conflict is a war crime under the relevant international law. It is understood that the PSVI is to address the rape and other types of sexual violence which is used as a weapon in armed conflict; to eradicate the culture of impunity against perpetrators; and to prevent the current and future cases. Anyone who has been charged with these crimes ought to stand trial in accordance with international law.
However, the regrettable fact is that the number of victims of sexual violence in conflict has been increasing and that the perpetrators have so far remained unpunished.
With this situation in mind, Japan has been focusing on strengthening the judicial systems of the countries involved in conflicts and on providing training and raising the awareness of the judicial personnel concerned.
For instance, this year Japan contributed 2.15 million US dollars as funding for the Special Representative Bangura’s Office in order to bolster the judicial systems of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
However, providing training and raising awareness are not enough on their own. Real progress requires a transformation in people’s consciousness, including both those who administer the legal framework and those who use it.
There is also an urgent need to provide assistance for the victims of sexual violence. For this purpose, Japan has announced its intention to make the first voluntary contribution of approximately 600 thousand euros to the Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC.
I was outraged when I heard that more than 200 female students had been abducted by Boko Haram in Nigeria. I very much feel that this incident, in which young women seeking education were targeted, is relevant to PSVI. Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida immediately issued a strong statement of condemnation. As an instant response to this situation, Japan is considering to provide emergency assistance of 855 thousand US dollars in order to support people who suffer from Boko Haram.
Sexual violence is a crime. It is important to eliminate the culture of impunity against the perpetrators and to change our mindsets. As is stated in the preamble of the Declaration, most of the victims of sexual violence in conflict are women. I believe that the promotion of women’s empowerment and women’s full participation in politics, society and the economy must constitute a dynamic force for changing people’s mindset.
I am confident that this Summit will provide many valuable ideas which will help my colleagues and me in Japan to make our endeavors in this area all the more useful and valuable.
Thank you.
First of all, I am reassured that such a large number of people have expressed their concern about sexual violence in conflict by joining this Global Summit.
This fact illustrates that the issue of sexual violence in conflict is no longer a matter affecting a specific number of countries. It is a problem acknowledged as such by the international community as a whole.
Sexual violence in conflict is a war crime under the relevant international law. It is understood that the PSVI is to address the rape and other types of sexual violence which is used as a weapon in armed conflict; to eradicate the culture of impunity against perpetrators; and to prevent the current and future cases. Anyone who has been charged with these crimes ought to stand trial in accordance with international law.
However, the regrettable fact is that the number of victims of sexual violence in conflict has been increasing and that the perpetrators have so far remained unpunished.
With this situation in mind, Japan has been focusing on strengthening the judicial systems of the countries involved in conflicts and on providing training and raising the awareness of the judicial personnel concerned.
For instance, this year Japan contributed 2.15 million US dollars as funding for the Special Representative Bangura’s Office in order to bolster the judicial systems of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
However, providing training and raising awareness are not enough on their own. Real progress requires a transformation in people’s consciousness, including both those who administer the legal framework and those who use it.
There is also an urgent need to provide assistance for the victims of sexual violence. For this purpose, Japan has announced its intention to make the first voluntary contribution of approximately 600 thousand euros to the Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC.
I was outraged when I heard that more than 200 female students had been abducted by Boko Haram in Nigeria. I very much feel that this incident, in which young women seeking education were targeted, is relevant to PSVI. Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida immediately issued a strong statement of condemnation. As an instant response to this situation, Japan is considering to provide emergency assistance of 855 thousand US dollars in order to support people who suffer from Boko Haram.
Sexual violence is a crime. It is important to eliminate the culture of impunity against the perpetrators and to change our mindsets. As is stated in the preamble of the Declaration, most of the victims of sexual violence in conflict are women. I believe that the promotion of women’s empowerment and women’s full participation in politics, society and the economy must constitute a dynamic force for changing people’s mindset.
I am confident that this Summit will provide many valuable ideas which will help my colleagues and me in Japan to make our endeavors in this area all the more useful and valuable.
Thank you.