A/HRC/26/43 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 13 June 2014 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-sixth session Agenda item 4 Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Marzuki Darusman* Summary The Special Rapporteur shares his initial thoughts about the direction he intends to take in fulfilling his mandate, building on the findings and recommendations of the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He stresses the international law implications of the commission’s findings and the responsibility of the international community to protect. The Special Rapporteur also highlights the responses by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including some opportunities for engagement presented by the Government’s latest position on the recommendations made at the universal periodic review. He also discusses the qualitative differences in responses required of the Member States, neighbouring States and other States concerned, and the United Nations system, involving also the realignment and strengthening of civil society work and people-topeople contacts. * Late submission. GE.14-04854 (E) *1404854*