HRC42: Oral statement during adoption of DPRK UPR outcome

Agenda Item 6, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you Mr President,

CSW welcomes the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s engagement with the UPR process.

We welcome several recommendations relating to the right to freedom of religion or belief made during the process, including recommendations to end discrimination and to take effective measures to prevent and eliminate all forms of persecution on the grounds of religion or belief.

The need to implement these recommendations is clear. Any North Korean who expresses an opinion or a belief which differs from that of the regime faces severe punishment. Witness testimonies report that many Christians are detained in prison camps, where they endure dire living conditions and brutal torture.

CSW is therefore highly concerned that the DPRK rejected recommendations from 12 states calling for an end to arbitrary detention and the use of prison camps.

We continue to call on the DPRK to respect its international obligations, release all persons currently detained in prison camps immediately and unconditionally, and to provide for their physical, mental and societal rehabilitation where needed.

CSW is also concerned that the DPRK chose not to accept a recommendation from the United States to decriminalise the possession and distribution of religious texts. North Koreans caught in possession of a Bible have been known to be executed, in a severe violation of the ICCPR to which the DPRK is a party.

We therefore call on the DPRK to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is fully respected, and that no individual is subject to punishment, including capital punishment, due to manifesting their religious beliefs.

We are also concerned that the DPRK did not accept recommendations to abolish the songbun socio-political classification system.

Under this system, the government has categorises Christians as a hostile class. As a result, any North Korean found to believe and practise Christianity or to have witnessed Christian activities is persecuted severely.

We urge the DPRK to reconsider these recommendations and abolish the songbun system immediately.

Finally, we appeal for continued scrutiny on the DPRK at the Human Rights Council outside of the UPR process until North Koreans are free to fully enjoy every right enshrined in the UDHR.

Thank you.