宣言・決議・意見書・声明等

President’s Statement Calling for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and Urging the Japanese Government to Reach Out for the Realization of a Ceasefire

Triggered by the armed attack carried out on October 7, 2023 against Israel by Hamas, an Islamic organization, the conflict parties Israel and Hamas remain in a state of hostility in the Gaza Strip. As a result, many civilians have lost their lives or have been compelled to flee. Release of the hostages has been realized only to a limited extent, and in the Gaza Strip, hospitals and other social infrastructure have been destroyed, and reconstruction will likely encompass tremendous difficulties. Moreover, this conflict has triggered other armed conflicts and armed attacks across the Middle East, causing a serious negative impact on the peace and protection of human rights across the entire Middle East Region.

While this conflict is based on the religious beliefs of the conflict parties and their historic and ethnic backgrounds, both parties have repeatedly engaged in armed conflicts and armed attacks, asserting legitimacy for their actions. Even the Oslo Accords, which are considered to be historic agreements that tentatively settled the situation and brought about regional stability, have been discredited within a short period of time, and now there is no path forward for recovery of peace and stability in the Gaza Strip in sight. However, it is obvious that a further continuation of hostilities would be greatly detrimental to both sides and would not lead to a resolution of the conflict.

The preamble of the Constitution of Japan reads, “We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time and are deeply conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship, and we have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world. We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerance for all time from the earth. We recognize that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want.”

In accordance with this principle of permanent pacifism of the Constitution of Japan, the Kanto Federation of Bar Association demands that the Japanese Government urge the conflict parties to immediately realize a ceasefire, mutually endeavor to maintain peace and security, cooperate for humanitarian considerations, work towards reaching a peace agreement, and to make every possible effort to realize a ceasefire, such as by mediating peace negotiations. Further, we call for the Japanese Government to urge Israel to comply with the order for provisional measures dated January 26, 2024 issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

We, the Kanto Federation of Bar Association are committed to working toward the realization of the ideal of permanent pacifism, and issue this President’s statement, strongly conscious of its position.

March 26, 2024