EU Presidency Re-Introduction Statement - Human Rights in the DPRK

EU Presidency Re-Introduction Statement on the SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA, by the UK Mission to the UN on behalf of the European Union, UN General Assembly, Third Committee, New York

Mr. Chairperson,

On behalf of the European Union and co-sponsors listed in L.48, Albania, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Japan, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, and the United States of America, I have the honour to introduce under agenda item 71(c) the draft resolution entitled "Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" contained in document A/60/C.3/L.48.

In addition, this resolution has also been co-sponsored by Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, and the Republic of Moldova.

While the European Union welcomes the constructive developments outlined in Special Rapporteur Vitit Muntarbhorn's report to the General Assembly, the EU remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in DPRK, including the continued reports of systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights. These are perpetuated by the absence of due process and rule of law; sanctions on DPRK citizens who have been returned from abroad; and severe restrictions on freedoms of thought, conscience, religion, opinion and expression.

The EU is also very concerned by the Government of DPRK's continued refusal to cooperate with, or recognise the mandate of, the Special Rapporteur.

This is the first time that a resolution on the situation of human rights in the DPRK has been tabled at the UN General Assembly. For the past three years, the EU has tabled a resolution on this issue at the Commission on Human Rights. The most recent CHR resolution - 2005/11 - urged the General Assembly to take up the question of human rights in the DPRK in the absence of any improvement in the human rights situation in the country and if the Government failed to extend cooperation to the Special Rapporteur. The continued non-compliance by the DPRK Government with the provisions of these resolutions requires that the General Assembly address this issue. We urge member states to support the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

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