March 26, 2022

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on March 25 issued a statement titled, “Russia should listen to the majority opinion in the international community–the Japanese Communist Party welcomes the adoption of the humanitarian resolution at the United Nations General Assembly”. The full text of the statement is as follows:

At an emergency special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly held on March 24 regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a resolution titled, “Humanitarian consequences of aggression against Ukraine” was adopted by an overwhelming majority with 140 states voting in favor.

The resolution reiterates the need for the full implementation of the March 2 UNGA resolution, demands an immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, and strongly calls for steps to break away from the serious humanitarian crisis, including an immediate ceasefire of hostilities, respect for the Geneva Convention and other international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, protection of hospitals and other civilian objects, and an end to the sieges of Ukrainian cities by Russian forces.

The adoption of the resolution, which was led by France and Mexico and co-sponsored by 90 states on five continents, shows that the majority of the international community condemns and demands an end to Russia’s aggression and war crimes. The Japanese Communist Party wholeheartedly welcomes the adoption and strongly urges Russia to listen to the majority opinion in the international community.

Before the adoption of the resolution, a move emerged calling for an immediate ceasefire of hostilities by all parties concerned without referring to the invasion by Russia apparently in a bid to gloss over the fact that Russia is the aggressor. However, Russia’s draft resolution for the Security Council was rejected with only Russia and China voting in favor and a general assembly draft resolution sponsored by South Africa and supported by Russia was not put to a vote due to opposition from the majority and was discarded. Such an argument refusing to acknowledge Russia’s invasion was not accepted at the UN General Assembly. This is very important as it highlights Russia’s isolation in the international community.