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16. 11. 2014.

DPRK: “Achieving accountability is paramount,” UN expert says ahead of General Assembly’s key vote



See statement in English and Korean below*

DPRK: “Achieving accountability is paramount,” UN expert says ahead of General Assembly’s key vote
  
SEOUL / GENEVA (14 November 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Marzuki Darusman, said the issue of accountability of those responsible for crimes against humanity in the country remains at the top of the agenda.
“Let me be very clear: achieving accountability is paramount,” Mr. Darusman said in Seoul at the end of an official visit* to the Republic of Korea. The expert’s comments come a few days before the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly votes on a resolution to refer the DPRK to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
Two weeks ago, the expert met for the first time a delegation of senior DPRK officials who invited him to undertake a full-fledged country visit, under the condition that all references to accountability of the North Korean Supreme Leader and possible referral to the ICC contained in the draft resolution on the situation of human rights situation in DPRK be removed.
“I should be invited to visit DPRK without any preconditions and irrespective of the adoption of the resolution,” the Special Rapporteur underscored. “From here on, it is important to already think of preparing the ground for accountability processes.”
Mr. Darusman noted that the combined pressures and scrutiny the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council have opened new possibilities of dialogue with the DPRK which may eventually lead to changes in the country.
“I believe a two-track approach should be taken,” the expert stated, “ensuring accountability of those responsible for serious human rights violations, and providing technical assistance to help make a difference in the lives of the people of North Korea, including victims.”
“The ultimate goal is to create a peaceful and stable situation in the Korean peninsula,” the Special Rapporteur underlined. “When reunification eventually takes place, addressing accountability for human rights violations can only make a positive contribution towards achieving this ultimate objective.”

The expert also expressed concern, among other things, on the issue of abductions of South Korean nationals by North Korea, and of North Korean workers sent abroad and reportedly subjected by North Korea to forced labour.  
During his five-day visit to the RoK, the expert met with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Unification, the Office for National Security, the National Intelligence Service; members of the Human Rights Forum and the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly; the Mayor of Seoul; representatives of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, non-governmental organizations and the diplomatic community.
The information the Special Rapporteur will gather during his mission to RoK will be reflected in his report to the Human Rights Council in March 2015.

(*) Check the Special Rapporteur’s end-of-mission statement




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