A/HRC/19/2 Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1, on institution-building of the Council, and 5/2, on the code of conduct for special procedures mandate holders of the Council, of 18 June 2007, and stressing that the mandate holder shall discharge his or her duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto, Welcoming the reports submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,22 and urging the implementation of the recommendations contained therein, Deeply concerned at the persisting deterioration in the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, at the continuing reports of systematic, widespread and grave violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in the country and at the unresolved questions of international concern relating to the abduction of nationals of other States, and urging the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms fully, Deploring the grave, widespread and systematic human rights abuses in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in particular the use of torture and labour camps against political prisoners and repatriated citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Deeply regretting the refusal of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to recognize the mandate of the Special Rapporteur or to extend full cooperation to him and allow him access to the country, Expressing its serious concern at the refusal of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to articulate, by the time of the adoption by the Human Rights Council of the outcome report on its universal periodic review23 in March 2010, which recommendations enjoyed its support, and regretting the lack of action taken by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to date to implement the recommendations contained in that report, Alarmed by the precarious humanitarian situation in the country, exacerbated by its national policy priorities, Reaffirming that it is the responsibility of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of its entire population, including by ensuring access to adequate food, Recognizing the particular vulnerability of women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly, and the need to ensure their protection against neglect, abuse, exploitation and violence, Reaffirming the importance of States’ engaging fully and constructively with the universal periodic review process and with other mechanisms of the Human Rights Council for the improvement of their human rights situations, 1. Expresses its very serious concern at the ongoing grave, widespread and systematic human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; 2. Commends the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for the activities undertaken to date and his continued efforts in the conduct of the mandate, despite the limited access to information; 22 23 GE.13-14768 A/66/343 and A/HRC/19/65. A/HRC/13/13. 41