Japan
First of all, Japan supports the recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2...
First of all, Japan supports the recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/604), including its recommendations to strengthen efforts to end impunity with regard to sexual violence as a tactic of war and terror. Among those recommendations, we strongly support the establishment of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements and the listing of perpetrators in an annex to the Secretary-General's annual reports, which are essential tools that the Security Council can use to take action, including targeted measures, against perpetrators.
As most here know, a number of child soldiers have been released in the five...
As most here know, a number of child soldiers have been released in the five years since the establishment of the monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict under resolution 1612 (2005). Monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements to be established under today's resolution should build on that good practice. We expect that the arrangements and the mechanism will work synergistically with each other and will strengthen the response of the entire United Nations system to the challenge of how to protect women and children from sexual violence in conflict.
Secondly, a comprehensive approach is key, and it can be undertaken when the...
Secondly, a comprehensive approach is key, and it can be undertaken when the actors involved are proactive and engage in greater cooperation with each other. Under international law and the resolutions of the Security Council, it is the responsibility of the Government and army of a country in conflict to protect their people. To that end, the rule of law should be established by promoting security sector reform and enhancing the capacity of the judicial system and law enforcement. Japan therefore welcomes the preparations being made by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Wallström to rapidly deploy a team of experts to assist national authorities in strengthening the rule of law.
It is critical to protect women from all forms of violence and to empower th...
It is critical to protect women from all forms of violence and to empower them within their society. For this reason, Japan has decided to make a contribution of $4.5 million to UN Women for its project in Afghanistan. It is also vital to strengthen the comprehensive response that is the responsibility of United Nations peacekeeping missions. We expect more women's protection advisors to be designated in the missions. And we welcome the Secretary-General's efforts to provide peacekeepers with clearer guidance, in line with good practice, regarding the response to sexual violence. In general, the Security Council needs to further strengthen the comprehensive response of peacekeeping missions through its country-specific resolutions.
Thirdly, sexual violence is never a by-product of conflict and it can be pre...
Thirdly, sexual violence is never a by-product of conflict and it can be prevented. As the SecretaryGeneral's report underlines, we need to focus not only on collecting timely and reliable information, but also on analysis of trends and patterns of sexual violence. Engaging all stakeholders — including national institutions, humanitarian actors and civil society — in the process of such analysis would contribute to the prevention of sexual violence.
One of the lessons learned from the mass rape in the eastern Democratic Repu...
One of the lessons learned from the mass rape in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in July and August this year is the need for communication between United Nations missions and the local community. I would like to stress that such communication could also provide early warning of imminent problems. The set of indicators for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) will likewise be an important tool for providing early warning of sexual violence, and we hope that they will be operational at the earliest possible date. We also look forward to seeing an early warning matrix of risk factors developed by Special Representative Wallström.
Finally, in the two years that Japan has served its present term as a non-pe...
Finally, in the two years that Japan has served its present term as a non-permanent member, the Security Council has adopted more resolutions and presidential statements on issues relating to women and children in conflict than it had in the past. We welcome this trend as a clear sign of the commitment of the Council to addressing these issues. There are, however, many challenges that must be faced in translating this commitment into tangible results on the ground. For its part, Japan will continue to contribute to efforts to promote progress on the issue of women and peace and security from the perspective of human security.