UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on human rights in Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Statement delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.
Thank you, Mr Vice President,
The UK thanks the Special Rapporteur for her continued efforts to focus attention on the DPRK’s human rights record.
As we mark the tenth anniversary of the UN Commission of Inquiry, we must not ignore the continued and widespread human rights violations as reported by Special Rapporteur, including gender-based violations, abductions, arbitrary detention and executions of its citizens.
Mr President, the DPRK fails to provide for its citizens’ basic economic needs and rejects UN resolutions, instead choosing to invest in its illegal weapons programmes.
As the DPRK re-opens its borders, we urge the government to engage meaningfully and constructively with the international community to address its human rights record, and to allow UN human rights mechanisms unhindered access to the country in order to help bring about permanent improvements for the people of North Korea.
Special Rapporteur,
How do you plan to engage the DPRK government as its border restrictions begin to ease?