HRC61 - EU Introductory statement - Item 4/ L.15
UN Human Rights Council
61st session – Item 4
L.15 – Intro
Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
EU Introductory statement
Mr President,
I have the honour to introduce, on behalf of the European Union and Australia, draft resolution A/HRC/61/L.15, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” as orally revised and circulated last week. We thank all co-sponsors, delegations, and civil society for their constructive engagement and support throughout the negotiations.
The EU and Australia are steadfast in their commitment to keep the human rights situation in the DPRK high on the agenda of the Human Rights Council.
We commend the Special Rapporteur for her unwavering efforts to investigate and report on the situation of human rights in the country, despite the complete lack of cooperation by DPRK authorities. Her latest report highlighting concrete pathways to improve the situation of human rights, including through UPR recommendations and follow-up, should be seen as an opportunity – not an attack. The text presented before you acknowledges areas of human rights and mechanisms where the DPRK has engaged – such as the UPR and the CRPD – and encourages them to step up their engagement.
We also commend the work of the OHCHR, including its office in Seoul. They play a fundamental role in contributing to accountability for the victims.
The text is also the result of efforts to streamline, be more concise, and avoid repetitions. It nevertheless continues to shed light on the systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations that have been documented for many years in the DPRK, some of which may amount to crimes against humanity. Freedom of expression and many other human rights and fundamental freedoms remain severely restricted, while harsh new laws are enforced through heavy punishments, including the expanded application of the death penalty, and technology-enabled repression.
The DPRK’s focus on its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as its direct or indirect assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, divert valuable resources that are desperately needed to guarantee the basic needs and human rights of DPRK citizens.
Mr President,
In the absence of independent monitoring on the ground, it is the common responsibility of this Council to address this continued and grave human rights’ crisis decisively. This is why draft resolution L.15 proposes to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur.
We hope that all delegations will join consensus on this important resolution.
Thank you.
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