The National Human Rights Commission of Korea hosted an International Symposium on North Korean Human Rights on 19 May, 2016 with the OHCHR Seoul.
The NHRCK has been hosting international symposium every year since 2004 either at home or abroad to strengthen cooperation with diverse institutions and create a bond for improvement of human rights situation in North Korea.
At this year’s symposium co-hosted with the UN OHCRH Seoul opened in 2015, under the theme of Protection and Promoting Women’s Rights in North Korea With a Focus on the UN Human Rights Protection Mechanisms, UN human rights systems and international standards were discussed along with diverse measures to enhance North Korean human rights.
At the opening ceremony, Chairperson Lee Sung-ho of the NHRCK and Chief Signe Poulsen of the OHCRH Seoul delivered opening remarks and Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights gave key note speech, followed by performance of the Mulmangcho Choir, composed of North Korean female defectors.
Session 1 was moderated by Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman under the theme of ‘human rights of North Korean women and legislation’. At Session 2, UN human rights protection mechanisms were introduced and at Session 3, discussion were made under the theme of international discussion and efforts for human rights of North Korean women.
The NHRCK hopes the the symposium served as an opportunity to identify detailed approach and solution customized for specific groups and area, moving beyond discussion on general human rights situation in North Korea.
