Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation in the DPRK

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President,

CSW thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report.

We are deeply concerned by grave and widespread violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief. Any DPRK citizen and their families who expresses an opinion or belief outside the state ideology faces severe punishment, including imprisonment, torture, and even execution, in line with changes to the anti-reactionary thought law.

We call on the DPRK to uphold and respect the right to freedom of religion or belief, and to release all persons currently detained in prison camps immediately and unconditionally. We call for the immediate unconditional release of three imprisoned South Korean Missionaries; Choi Chun-gil, Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie.

CSW remains concerned about the DPRK’s continued restrictions on freedom of movement. Citizens who escape to China risk forcible repatriation, which contravenes China’s obligations under international refugee law. Repatriated individuals found to have had contact with Christians are known to face particularly harsh punishment.

We call on China to adhere to international obligations with regards to refugees, ensuring that those who flee the DPRK are protected.

CSW is also concerned about recent reports of widespread starvation and food insecurity, particularly against the backdrop of excessive domestic military spending and the DPRK’s involvement in Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. We call on the DPRK to redirect their resources towards addressing chronic food insecurity.

We urge UN Member States to consistently raise the human rights situation in the DPRK, separately from the question of nuclear non-proliferation, until all human rights in the DPRK are fully upheld and protected. 

Thank you.