HRC46: Oral statement during ID with Special Rapporteur on the DPRK

Item 4:Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Madame President.

CSW welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the DPRK.

The situation of human rights in the DPRK, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, remains in urgent need of international attention.

Recently, reports have emerged of the regime’s expansion of political prison camps in the country, where tens of thousands of North Korean citizens are already detained and endure dire living conditions and brutal torture.

We call on the DPRK to reverse this expansion immediately, and instead to immediately and unconditionally release all those currently detained, providing comprehensive physical, mental and societal rehabilitation.

CSW is particularly concerned by the treatment of women in the DPRK, including sexual and gender-based violence and forced abortions.

Those who escape to China face similarly horrific violations, including further sexual violence and human trafficking. China is also responsible for the forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees, in violation of the fundamental principle of non-refoulement.

We call on the DPRK to fully comply with all of its international obligations to uphold and respect human rights, including the rights of women.

We call on China to adhere to its own international obligations with regards to refugees, ensuring that those who flee the DPRK are protected and allowed to transit to a third country should they wish to do so.

Finally, CSW urges the Council to continue to refer to and implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry in 2014 and ensure that human rights dialogues 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