1. PM Kan Calls for “Opening Japan and Reinventing KIZUNA” in Davos

2. The Adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK

3. The Second Meeting of the Japan-Arab Economic Forum

4. The Third Bali Democracy Forum

5. Climate Change

6. Japan's Assistance Package to Afganistan

7. Launch of the “Visa for Medical Stay”

2. The Adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK and Entry into Force of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

Efforts to Solve the Abduction Issue

   On December 21, the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which was co-tabled by Japan and the EU, was adopted by majority vote for the sixth consecutive year at the plenary session of the 65th UN General Assembly. The resolution expresses very serious concern at various violations of human rights in North Korea and strongly urges North Korea to respect fully all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to resolve urgently the abduction issue, including the immediate return of abductees.

   To improve the human rights situation in North Korea, it is essential for the international community to work in cooperation to continue encouraging North Korea to take concrete actions towards improvement. The Government of Japan considers that the adoption of the resolution supported by a large number of votes at the plenary session of the UN General Assembly, composed of all UN member states, for six consecutive years indicates that concern about the human rights situation in North Korea, including the abduction issue, remains strong, and sends a clear message from the international community urging North Korea to improve the situation.

   In addition, on December 23, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance entered into force. This Convention prescribes enforced disappearance including abduction as crime. It also provides for the necessary measures to be taken by States Parties in order to ensure a framework for punishment and for prevention.

   The significance of this Convention is to confirm enforced disappearance including abduction in the international community as punishable offence, and to deter offence of this nature from being repeated in the future. Japan attaches importance to this Convention from the viewpoint of increasing interest of the international community in enforced disappearance including abduction and therefore highly welcomes its entry into force.