HRC40: Oral Statement during ID with Special Rapporteur on the DPRK

40th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Agenda Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr President,

CSW welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the DPRK and thanks the Rapporteur for his continued work.

While there have been some recent positive changes in the human rights situation in the DPRK, CSW wishes to emphasise that there has been no improvement in terms of the right to freedom of religion or belief in the country.

Any North Korean who expresses an opinion or a belief which differs from the regime’s propaganda faces severe punishment. It is estimated that over 200,000 people, many of whom are Christians, are detained in prison camps, where they endure dire living conditions and brutal torture.

Furthermore, North Koreans suspected of having contact with South Korean or other foreign missionaries in China, and those caught in possession of a Bible, have been known to be executed.

We call on the government of the DPRK to ensure that all human rights are upheld and defended, including the right to freedom of religion or belief; to release all persons currently detained in prison camps immediately and unconditionally; and to provide for their physical, mental and societal rehabilitation where needed.

CSW welcomes meetings between the DPRK and the United States and the Republic of Korea, however we remain concerned that human rights in the DPRK have not been discussed at these meetings.

We therefore call on all parties to ensure that human rights are on the agenda of any future discussions with the DPRK and that the recommendations of the 2014 Commission of Inquiry report are not neglected.

We welcome the continued focus on the DPRK at the Human Rights Council and encourage the Council to ensure that such discussions continue separately from the question of nuclear non-proliferation on an annual basis until North Koreans are free to fully enjoy all of the human rights enshrined in the UDHR.

Thank you