Statement by H.E. Ambassador Shigeru Endo
the Delegation of Japan

60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights
Geneva, 24 March 2004
Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva

The killing of the Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin on March 22nd cannot be justified, and gives no consideration to the full consequences. It is profoundly regrettable, as it gravely impairs the realization of peace, as well as the promotion and protection of human rights.

We are deeply apprehensive that the murder will not only exacerbate the cycle of hatred and violence, but also impact the entire Middle East region negatively. We thus condemn this act of Israel.

The Government of Japan strongly urges Israel to exercise maximum self-restraint in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Recalling the vision that the Prime Ministers of Israel and the Palestinian Authority committed themselves to of two states living side by side in peace based on the Roadmap, we encourage both sides to exercise their initiative to calm the situation and resume dialogue immediately.

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