HRC49: Oral statement during ID with the Special Rapporteur on North Korea

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

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President.

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

We regret that the situation of human rights in the DPRK remains dire and we are deeply concerned by the lack of the right to freedom of religion or belief in the country.

There is no freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, and any citizen who expresses an opinion or a belief which differs from the regime’s propaganda faces severe punishment.

Christians are at particular risk of detention in prison camps and severe torture for practising their religious beliefs.

Defectors who are forcibly returned to the DPRK are charged with ‘treachery against the nation’, sent to prison camps and face abuse, violence and even execution. Despite this, the Chinese government has retained its policy of repatriating all North Korean defectors

CSW is particularly concerned about the recent increased challenges faced by those seeking to leave the DPRK, caused by closed boarders, increased security and restrictions to freedom of movement throughout the COVID- 19 pandemic.

We call on the DPRK to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is upheld and to unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience. We urge states to practice non-refoulement and to provide comprehensive physical, mental and societal rehabilitation for those who have fled the DPRK.

Thank you.