On January 27, Japan’s Foreign Ministry declared its decision to inform the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights not to allocate funding to the CEDAW Committee. This move came after the committee advised Japan to amend its Imperial House Law, which currently restricts royal succession to men. The government protested by urging the committee to withdraw its recommendation, stating that succession to the throne is not a fundamental human right and thus not a matter of discrimination against women.
Japanese contributions to the U.N. human rights office, which amount to approximately 20 million to 30 million yen a year ($134,000 to $201,000), have not benefited the CEDAW Committee since 2005. In light of this, ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura contended that freezing such funding would clarify Japan’s stance. Additionally, the planned visit by CEDAW representatives to Japan has been cancelled, signalling a withdrawal from engagement with the committee.
The CEDAW Committee, formed of 23 experts serving individually and elected by member states for four-year terms, reviews compliance with the U.N. Convention on Women’s Rights, aiming to enhance the protection of women’s and girls’ rights globally. It has previously prompted reforms in various countries, such as urging Spain to amend its constitution for gender equality in succession rights, and advocating for the abolition of discriminatory male guardianship in Saudi Arabia.
Despite Japan claiming that its actions against the committee are primarily symbolic, they could embolden other nations to react similarly against the U.N. human rights system, which is already facing challenges from influential states. Human Rights Watch highlighted how China has attempted to diminish the effectiveness of international human rights institutions by watering down resolutions that monitor rights violations while seeking to divert attention from its own transgressions.
Furthermore, the weakening of the U.N. human rights framework is exacerbated by the U.S. administration’s withdrawal from international organisations and funding cuts. With the U.S. traditionally contributing a significant share to the U.N. budget, its diminished participation could threaten the functionality of human rights bodies like CEDAW, which are crucial for upholding treaty compliance and monitoring.
For the integrity of the U.N. human rights system, it is essential for independent bodies like the CEDAW Committee to operate without state interference or retaliation. Japan’s explicit move to block funding due to disagreement over recommendations poses risks, potentially incentivising a trend where states may punish human rights bodies financially for unfavourable responses.
As decades of progress in human rights have fostered advancements in gender and racial equality, freedom of expression, and protection against arbitrary imprisonment surface, Japan stands at a pivotal juncture. It is imperative for Japan and other nations to bolster the U.N. human rights system rather than undermine it, even amidst differing opinions on specific recommendations.
Japan has stopped funding to the CEDAW Committee in retaliation for its recommendation to amend the Imperial House Law, which restricts royal succession to men. This move could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other governments to lash out against U.N. human rights bodies. Amidst threats to the U.N. human rights system from powerful states, Japan’s support is needed to ensure these bodies operate independently and effectively.
Japan’s recent decision to halt funding for the CEDAW Committee marks a troubling shift that could embolden other nations to retaliate against U.N. human rights bodies. The need for these bodies to function independently, free from financial coercion, is crucial for the ongoing promotion of human rights globally. As progress in human rights is at stake, it is vital that Japan reassesses its approach and supports U.N. initiatives to foster a fairer world.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
