Human Rights, Humanitarian Assistance,Refugees

Mr. President,
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great honor to make a statement on behalf of the Government of Japan on this occasion.

Mr. President,

Japan believes it important to recall once again the original purpose of the Durban Conference in 2001, to “unite against racism”. The Government of Japan commends the efforts of all those who have contributed to the Durban Process to this end for the past twenty years. We also hope that all nations will take further concrete measures to eliminate all forms of racism around the world, including Islamophobia, Antisemitism, Christianophobia, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In this regard, Japan reiterates that the discrimination and prejudice against Asian people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic should have no place in the society.

At the same time, however, it is regrettable that some remarks in past meetings and today were inconsistent with the original purpose by which we stand. We must thus demonstrate unity to the whole world by supporting the original purpose and abandoning political motivation. In particular, we find it deeply disappointing that this conference has been used as a platform of antagonism.

Mr. President,

Based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and our Constitution, Japan will diligently strive for a society where each and every individual is respected and can fully develop their human potential, free from any racial, ethnic or other discrimination.

In 2019, Japan enacted the legislation on “promotion of comprehensive Ainu measures” to facilitate interaction with the Ainu people as an indigenous people by promoting local Ainu communities, industries, and tourism. We will continue to take action to eliminate intolerance and to respect the diversity of cultures, religions, and lifestyles.

More than 100 years have passed since the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, where Japan had proposed the abolishment of racial discrimination to the League of Nations, and Japan has since been a strong advocate to this end. Furthermore, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were successfully held under a concept of “Unity in Diversity.” The elimination of racism is our strong and constant desire, and we hope that the international community will take this opportunity on the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration to unite stronger and take further actions for this common goal.