The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), as an independent national institution working towards the protection and promotion of human rights in Korea, comments on the on the Resolution on Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea adopted at the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 18, 2008 as follows.
The United Nations has expressed concern to the international community over the gravity of the North Korean human rights situation through the adoption of four consecutive resolutions on the issue, beginning in its 60th session in 2005. The resolution adopted in the 63rd session includes the importance of dialogue between the two Koreas, the expression of concern over and the demand for the immediate cessation of systematic and grave violations of human rights within North Korea, the call for cooperation of the North Korean authorities with the UN Special Rapporteur and access for humanitarian organizations, and the demand for the resolution of issues surrounding the abduction of foreigners.
Reflecting on the report of the U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea on such issues as torture, inhumane detention, public execution, extrajudicial and arbitrary detention, detention camps for political prisoners and forced labor, refugees and exiles deported or repatriated to North Korea, and sanctions on North Koreans upon return from overseas, the resolution states the general understanding of and the demands from the international community on North Korean human rights. In line with the resolution, the Commission urges that North Korea, as a U.N. signatory and member of the international community, observe its duties under the international human rights conventions and participate in dialogues with the U.N. and the international community to resolve the issues that were raised in the resolution.
Since the publication of The Basic Position on North Korean Human Rights of NHRCK on December 11, 2006, the Commission has continually broadened its activities to promote human rights in North Korea under the four main principles of respect for universality of human rights, use of peaceful means, substantive improvements, and mutual cooperation between the government and the civil society. “North Korean human rights” was one of the top 10 strategic issues to focus on in 2007 and ‘Strengthening policy activities for the improvement of North Korean human rights’ was included as one of the six major activities of the Commission in 2008.
On the basis of its past activities and achievements, the Commission will broaden the scope of activities towards achieving substantive improvements in North Korean human rights and at the same time strengthening in-depth policy studies and inquiries leading to recommendations to the government for policy reform if necessary.
