HRC61 - EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
United Nations Human Rights Council
61st Session
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
13 March 2026
EU Statement
Mr President,
The EU would like to thank Special Rapporteur Elizabeth Salmón for her report and reiterate its strong support for her mandate.
Special Rapporteur,
The situation of human rights in the DPRK steadily continues to deteriorate. The High Commissioner warned in his September 2025 update to the HRC of a “lost decade” for the people of the DPRK. They suffer increasingly from brutal repression, fear and deprivation, in violation of the country’s international human rights obligations. We strongly deplore the continued operation of political prison camps and widening application of the death penalty both in law and in practice.
The EU reiterates its deep concern about the closed civic space, including complete restrictions on freedom of expression, movement, and access to information. We are also gravely concerned about enforced disappearances and abductions, and the prolonged suspension of family reunions. We are alarmed by continuing reports of forced returns of DPRK escapees. We call on all States to uphold the principle of non‑refoulement.
The DPRK authorities must end gross, systematic and widespread human rights violations, and respect, protect and fulfil all human rights and the rule of law. Accountability is essential for longstanding and ongoing human rights violations in the DPRK, including for crimes against humanity, as documented by UN enquiries, and through a possible referral to the International Criminal Court.
The EU also strongly condemns the DPRK’s support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and we urge it to immediately cease any direct or indirect assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, including the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces to Russia and their use on the battlefield against Ukraine.
The EU encourages the DPRK to engage in constructive action and dialogue with the international community, including the UN human rights system and the Special Rapporteur, and grant them long-overdue access to the country.
In that respect, we appreciate the focus of the report on the Universal Periodic Review and the concrete proposals to translate the recommendations supported by the DPRK into measurable benchmarks and specific actions, using human rights indicators.
Special Rapporteur,
In the absence of any independent national human rights institution and civil society, what mechanisms or partnerships could be established to ensure effective monitoring and follow-up of the implementation of recommendations in the DPRK?
Thank you.