2017年6月6日から23日までスイス・ジュネーブで開催されている第35会期国連人権理事会にて、国際人権NGOヒューマンライツ・ナウ（HRN）は、日本の「表現の自由」について事務局長伊藤和子が口頭発言を行いました。内容は、日本政府に対し報道の独立を確保するため放送法の見直しなどを求めた国連特別報告者デイビッド・ケイ氏の報告書を歓迎するもので、国連特別報告者を「個人の活動」とする日本政府に真摯な対応を求めるものです。
HRNは人権理事会に対して、書面の声明文も提出しています。
発言の様子はUN WebTVのアーカイブ映像でご覧にいただけます。
伊藤事務局長の発言は27番目（00:57:52〜）です。発言の原文は以下をご確認ください。
ID: SR on Freedom of Expression – 15th Meeting, 35th Regular Session Human Rights Council
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Human Rights Now
June 12, 2017
35th Human Rights Council
Agenda Item 3
Speaker: Ms. Kazuko Ito
Thank you, Mr President.
Human Rights Now, on behalf of broader civil society in Japan, welcomes the report
of UN Special Rapporteur David Kaye on the freedom of expression in Japan.
We share the serious concern with threats against media independence highlighted
in his report. In recent years, the Japanese government has suggested use
of the Broadcast Act to revoke broadcast licenses based on the content of reporting,
which has caused an enormously negative impact.
Also, there has been serious threats and intimidation against journalist covering
the issue of “comfort women” as indicated in the report. Indeed, such intimidation
has caused a chilling effect for journalists to cover sensitive issues.
We call on the government to cease any interference against media independence,
and publicly reject any form of threat and intimidation against journalists.
Unfortunately, the government has dismissed this report claiming that interviews
it is based on are unverified and hearsay. However, this ignores the possible harm
journalists face to publicly speak about internal matters.
Mr. President, we are gravely concerned about government ignorance and hostility
toward the voices of UN special rapportuers. The government publicly announced
that works of special rapportuers are merely individual opinions and justified their rejection.
Recently, the government strongly protested a letter sent by UN Special Rapporteur Cannataci
over the Conspiracy Bill which risks interfering with civil society activity.
We strongly urge the Japanese government to respect the voices of UN special rapportuers
and take concrete steps to implement the recommendations made by Mr. Kaye.
Thank you Mr. President and Mr. Kaye.
