A/HRC/7/47
page 2
3.
With a view to exploring ways of initiating technical cooperation between the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, the High Commissioner invited the Permanent Representative of the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations Office at Geneva to meet and
explore avenues of future cooperation.
4.
During the meeting held on 11 February 2008, the High Commissioner welcomed the
recent submission of the combined third and fourth periodic report of the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/PRK/4) and encouraged
continued activities in relation to reporting to the treaty bodies.
5.
The High Commissioner proposed discussions on a future technical assistance programme
that could be offered to the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,
particularly in light of the forthcoming review of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
under the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review mechanism (scheduled to take
place in 2009). Such a programme could for example offer assistance in the areas of treaty body
reporting and ratification of core human rights treaties. The High Commissioner suggested that
an OHCHR assessment mission could visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with a
view to exploring such possibilities with relevant officials on the ground.
6.
The Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea reiterated
that his Government does not recognize the resolutions adopted by the Human Rights Council
and the General Assembly on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea. The Government considers these resolutions as selective, politicized and reflecting
double-standards. The Permanent Representative stated that his Government was therefore
unable to accept the High Commissioner’s offer. He nonetheless stated that he had taken note of
the High Commissioner’s willingness to offer technical assistance and that his Government
would continue to respect its treaty obligations and cooperate with the treaty bodies. Since the
11 February meeting, no further response has been received from the Government on this matter.
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