A/HRC/13/47 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 17 February 2010 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirteenth 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, Vitit Muntarbhorn* Summary The present report reflects on the work of the Special Rapporteur, Vitit Muntarbhorn, for the past six years. Concurrently, it provides an update of the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from the middle of 2009 until the beginning of 2010. It also identifies preferred steps towards the future. The human rights situation in this country can be described as sui generis (“in its own category”), given the multiple particularities and anomalies that abound. Simply put, there are many instances of human rights violations which are both harrowing and horrific. To date, the responses from the authorities of the country have been based mainly upon periodic law reform. Yet, it is not the formalism which counts but the substantive reality of how the law is practised and the extent to which ordinary people of the land are able to enjoy national protection for their rights and daily needs. The voice of the international community, through the various United Nations resolutions, indicates that the power base in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has failed in its responsibility. In this regard, to date, the international response has been very much based upon pressure exerted through resolutions in the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Yet the sufferings of the ordinary people of the country continue every day, waiting for light at the end of a long and dark tunnel. It is the international community which should offer hope and protection to the people, especially where the power base at home is unable or unwilling to do so. It is thus essential to mobilize more comprehensively the international system, especially the United Nations and all its affiliates, to act in a more concerted manner. To this end, the Special Rapporteur is open to both incentives and disincentives to influence the authorities of the country to act more responsibly towards its citizens. Yet much depends upon international leadership, will and commitment to ensure that the plight of the people is not further * The present report was submitted after the deadline in order to include the most recent information. GE.10-10793 (E) 240210