HRC 37 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the DPRK - EU Intervention

Mr. President,

The EU welcomes the reports of the Special Rapporteur.

Mr. President,

The recent high-level talks held between the Republic of Korea and the DPRK are an encouraging signal, representing a positive step towards the improvement of inter-Korean relations.

However, the EU continues to be deeply concerned about the grave human rights situation in the DPRK and the findings of the COI of systematic human rights violations, some of which may amount to crimes against humanity. We are equally concerned about reports of torture against political and other prisoners; limitations on freedom of movement and to the right to information, food insecurity and widespread malnutrition, and harsh treatment of persons attempting to flee the country – just to name a few. We remind DPRK of its obligation under international law and urge the DPRK Government to take immediate steps to halt all human rights violations, which also include closing all political prison camps. We reiterate that there can be no impunity for such violations and continue to support the COI's recommendation that the UN Security Council should refer the situation in the DPRK to the International Criminal Court.

It is noteworthy that the DPRK ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and that it allowed a visit by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in May last year. We encourage the DPRK to take forward all of the recommendations from the Special Rapporteur's visit report. However, we regret the DPRK Government's continuous rejection of the DPRK-SR's mandate and we urge the DPRK to cooperate fully with all international human rights mechanisms, including with Treaty Bodies and the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.

Mr. Quintana, you mention in your report that you see a "window of opportunity" to take a discussion of specific human rights challenges forward with the DPRK. Could you elaborate on this, and inform us of some of the initiatives that you foresee to undertake in 2018?

Finally, Mr. President,

Let me inform you that the EU, together with Japan, will once again table a resolution on the human rights situation in the DPRK. The aim is to address the most pertinent issues, including a follow-up to the relevant recommendations made by the Experts Group, as well as extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur.

Thank you.