Statement by Ambassador Mitsuru Kitano, on Agenda item4 at the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Doha, Qatar, 16th April, 2015
2015/4/21
Mr. President,
At the outset, Japan strongly condemns the despicable acts of terrorism. In this regard, Japan aligns itself with Member States’ firm commitment to fight against terrorism, as expressed in the Doha Declaration. In particular, Japan is deeply concerned by the growing links between transnational organized crime and terrorism and believes that international cooperation is key in addressing these threats. In this regard, Japan reaffirms its strong support to Member States that fight at the frontline against terrorism and transnational organized crime.
Mr. President,
At the wake of the terrorist incidents that killed multiple Japanese citizens in Syria and Tunisia over the past months, Japan is strengthening its foreign policy with particular focus on bolstering counter-terrorism measures, enhancing diplomacy towards stability and prosperity in the Middle East, and providing assistance to create societies resilient to radicalization and violent extremism. Capacity building to investigate, prosecute and punish the acts of terrorism is fundamental for effective international cooperation, particularly in order to address the unprecedented threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters.
Mr. President,
One of the major challenges posed by recent forms of terrorism is the way in which terrorist organizations utilize modern communication technologies to solicit foreign terrorist fighters. Hence, it is critically important to strengthen international cooperation in timely information sharing, in capacity building to investigate, prosecute and punish as well as to cooperate in border controls to prevent such foreign terrorist fighters from carrying out their plans of attack. In this regard, Japan commends UNODCs prompt response to UNSCR 2178 as the entity to provide assistance in Iraq last October and further welcomes its launch of a new global initiative to boost criminal justice responses to foreign terrorist fighters.
Most recently, Japan has decided to provide 15.5 million USD to strengthen counter terrorism capacity in the Middle East and African regions. This contribution supports the activities of the UNODC in the region, and pays particular attention to the growing links between transnational organized crime and terrorism.
Mr. President,
Japan supports Member States in their quest to create societies that are resilient to radicalization and violent extremism. In this respect, importance of comprehensive approach, especially education as a basis for crime prevention, as mentioned in the Doha Declaration, should be highlighted. Strengthening youth education and employment policy to decrease economic disparity is essential to preventing people from losing hope and becoming susceptible to extremist ideologies. Japan believes that in order to counter radicalization and violent extremism, the best way is in the middle, to quote a wise Arabic saying, 'Khair al-umuri ausatoh'. In this context, Japan welcomes the recent work carried out by the UNODC and other international organizations in the Middle East and South East Asia, and recommends that a rule of law based approach to countering radicalization and violent extremism be further explored.
Mr. President,
The threat posed by terrorism is unprecedented and the growing links between transnational organized crime is of grave concern. We must work collectively to strengthen international cooperation for effective responses and preventive strategies. Together with the international community, Japan is firmly committed to actively contribute to this endeavor.
At the outset, Japan strongly condemns the despicable acts of terrorism. In this regard, Japan aligns itself with Member States’ firm commitment to fight against terrorism, as expressed in the Doha Declaration. In particular, Japan is deeply concerned by the growing links between transnational organized crime and terrorism and believes that international cooperation is key in addressing these threats. In this regard, Japan reaffirms its strong support to Member States that fight at the frontline against terrorism and transnational organized crime.
Mr. President,
At the wake of the terrorist incidents that killed multiple Japanese citizens in Syria and Tunisia over the past months, Japan is strengthening its foreign policy with particular focus on bolstering counter-terrorism measures, enhancing diplomacy towards stability and prosperity in the Middle East, and providing assistance to create societies resilient to radicalization and violent extremism. Capacity building to investigate, prosecute and punish the acts of terrorism is fundamental for effective international cooperation, particularly in order to address the unprecedented threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters.
Mr. President,
One of the major challenges posed by recent forms of terrorism is the way in which terrorist organizations utilize modern communication technologies to solicit foreign terrorist fighters. Hence, it is critically important to strengthen international cooperation in timely information sharing, in capacity building to investigate, prosecute and punish as well as to cooperate in border controls to prevent such foreign terrorist fighters from carrying out their plans of attack. In this regard, Japan commends UNODCs prompt response to UNSCR 2178 as the entity to provide assistance in Iraq last October and further welcomes its launch of a new global initiative to boost criminal justice responses to foreign terrorist fighters.
Most recently, Japan has decided to provide 15.5 million USD to strengthen counter terrorism capacity in the Middle East and African regions. This contribution supports the activities of the UNODC in the region, and pays particular attention to the growing links between transnational organized crime and terrorism.
Mr. President,
Japan supports Member States in their quest to create societies that are resilient to radicalization and violent extremism. In this respect, importance of comprehensive approach, especially education as a basis for crime prevention, as mentioned in the Doha Declaration, should be highlighted. Strengthening youth education and employment policy to decrease economic disparity is essential to preventing people from losing hope and becoming susceptible to extremist ideologies. Japan believes that in order to counter radicalization and violent extremism, the best way is in the middle, to quote a wise Arabic saying, 'Khair al-umuri ausatoh'. In this context, Japan welcomes the recent work carried out by the UNODC and other international organizations in the Middle East and South East Asia, and recommends that a rule of law based approach to countering radicalization and violent extremism be further explored.
Mr. President,
The threat posed by terrorism is unprecedented and the growing links between transnational organized crime is of grave concern. We must work collectively to strengthen international cooperation for effective responses and preventive strategies. Together with the international community, Japan is firmly committed to actively contribute to this endeavor.
The Practical Export Control Workshop was hosted by the Wassenaar Arrangement as part of its 20th Anniversary programs and held at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna on 27 and 28 June 2016. More than 100 government representatives from 46 countries participated in the technically focused Practical Workshop.
Workshop speakers included the 2016 WA Plenary Chair Ambassador Anu Laamanen (Finland), 2016 WA General Working Group Chair Ambassador Paul Beijer (Sweden), 2015-2016 WA Experts Group Chair Robertas Rosinas (Lithuania), 2016 WA Licensing and Enforcement Officers Meeting Chair Jon Erik Strömö (Norway), as well as the Head of the WA Secretariat, Ambassador Philip Griffiths. The WA control lists as well as export licensing and enforcement topics were covered during the two days.
The following link from WA’s webpage contains more details:
http://www.wassenaar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/June-2016-Workshop-media-release.pdf
Workshop speakers included the 2016 WA Plenary Chair Ambassador Anu Laamanen (Finland), 2016 WA General Working Group Chair Ambassador Paul Beijer (Sweden), 2015-2016 WA Experts Group Chair Robertas Rosinas (Lithuania), 2016 WA Licensing and Enforcement Officers Meeting Chair Jon Erik Strömö (Norway), as well as the Head of the WA Secretariat, Ambassador Philip Griffiths. The WA control lists as well as export licensing and enforcement topics were covered during the two days.
The following link from WA’s webpage contains more details:
http://www.wassenaar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/June-2016-Workshop-media-release.pdf