A/HRC/34/66
V. Conclusions and recommendations
43.
The Special Rapporteur continues to pursue the two-track strategy with respect
to the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He places
special emphasis on encouraging engagement between the authorities of the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the mandate, as well as every other
United Nations human rights mechanism. Such engagement is aimed at increasing
access to the country, receiving more accurate and comprehensive information and
improving compliance by the Government with its treaty obligations. At the same
time, addressing human rights violations, particularly allegations of crimes against
humanity, requires that perpetrators be held accountable, in the interest of justice and
to deter further human rights abuses. In this regard, possible measures for
accountability elaborated by the group of independent experts provide important
guidance. These two tracks are mutually reinforcing, and a dual approach is
necessary to improve the human rights situation. The situation deserves the same level
of attention that the continuing escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula and in
North-East Asia has received from the international community, especially from the
Security Council, given the close connection between peace, security and human
rights.
44.
The Special Rapporteur is encouraged by the contributions made by multiple
actors who are concerned at the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea. He emphasizes that these initiatives should be conducted as part of
a common vision for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
The overall aim should be to build national understanding of international human
rights standards and strengthen the national capacity to ensure that the authorities
take steps to end ongoing violations, address past violations and prevent their
recurrence. For this reason, it is important that State institutions in the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea, in particular the Workers’ Party of Korea, take
ownership of the recommended policy changes while creating a space for meaningful
participation in decision-making by the population.
45.
The Special Rapporteur urges the Government of the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea:
(a)
To take immediate and effective steps to end gross human rights
violations, including the operation of political prison camps;
(b)
To continue to follow up on the accepted recommendations emanating
from the universal periodic review and to cooperate with the United Nations and
other relevant actors to facilitate their implementation. The Special Rapporteur
believes that a common strategy on effective implementation of these
recommendations should be developed, with prioritization of more feasible or relevant
recommendations. For example, a large number of States recommended that the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ratify the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, join the International
Labour Organization and establish an independent human rights institution;
(c)
To engage in effective cooperation with United Nations human rights
mechanisms, including this mandate holder and thematic mandate holders, and
facilitate country visits;
(d)
To accept all offers of technical cooperation by the international
community that may help to promote and protect human rights, including from the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and its field-based
presence in Seoul;
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