Statement by H.E. Ambassador Masaki Konishi
Alternative Representative of the Japanese Delegation
on Item of the Agenda 10
53rd session of the Commission on Human Rights
9 April 1997
[Part on East Timor]
Mr. Chairman,
The Government of Japan has followed the human rights situation in East Timor very closely. While it is concerned over the tensions in the area, it welcomes the efforts of the Government of Indonesia for the protection and promotion of human rights, most recently by the opening of an office in East Timor of the National Human Rights Commission and its willingness to cooperate with the United Nations. My delegation also appreciates the efforts of the Secretary-Genera for the good offices activities between the Government of Indonesia and Portugal, and it hopes that the discussions will accelerate further with the appointment of the new special envoy of the Secretary-General on this issue.
For comparison.
[Part on China]
We have been witnessing China pushing forward various reforms and greater openness as well as some important improvements in the human rights area, particularly in regard to the economic and social rights. We expect further progress to be seen as regards the human rights situation in China.
We note and welcome that the Government of China is publicly committed to actively studying the accession to the two international Covenants on human rights and that China will sign the International Covenant on Economic, Social an Cultural Rights before the end of this year. As mentioned by the Foreign Minister of Japan to the Chinese counterpart last March, Japan stands ready to provide necessary technical assistance to China so that early signature and ratification of these Covenants will be realized.
We would also like to stress the importance of dialogues in dealing with human rights issues. We welcome the indications that China is, indeed, prepared for such dialogues and look forward to working out concrete arrangements. In the expectation that China will continue to intensify its efforts to improve human rights situation, we shall be placing special emphasis on dialogues and technical cooperation this year.
[Part on Myanmar]
My delegation hoped last year that it would be able to witness more progress in the situation of human rights in Myanmar. It also expected that there should be dialogues among variety of groups in Myanmar, since such dialogues will be particularly important in the creation of a new State Constitution. We would like to express our desire that the Government and people of Myanmar will overcome their difficulties and achieve national reconciliation, democracy, and respect for human rights. From that point of view we want to express our concern about the current fragile situation in Myanmar. The international community, for its part, should make efforts to invite Myanmar to participate actively in international relations.
Towards these ends, the Government of Japan will continue the dialogue it has been maintaining with Myanmar, which is based on the friendly relations that have traditionally obtained between our two countries. My delegation hopes that, similarly, as a matter of high priority, the Government of Myanmar on its part will continue to engage in dialogue with the international community, extending its full cooperation to he Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Commission on Human Rights, the UNHCR, and other international organizations and show its willingness to cooperate by accepting an early visit of the Special Rapporteur. In this connection, the Government of Japan welcomes the recent decision of the Government of Myanmar that it is ready to receive the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General from 7 to 10 of May this year.