According to United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea Marzuki Darusman, the human rights situation in North Korea has deteriorated significantly.
Mr. Darusman recently noted that a number of constitutional and legislative provisions have endangered the independence of the judiciary in North Korea. Mr. Darusman also noted that there is little due process of law for the average North Korean citizen.
The United States shares the Special Rapporteur’s concern about the abducted nationals from South Korea, Japan, and other countries. It is an issue that North Korea needs to resolve as quickly as possible.
We also share the Special Rapporteur’s concerns about the case of Oh Kil-nam and his wife, Shin Suk-ja and daughters, Oh Hae-won and Oh Kyu-won, whose whereabouts remain unknown. We reiterate the Special Rapporteur’s request that this family be reunited promptly.
The United States remains deeply concerned about the plight of refugees and asylum seekers from North Korea. The U.S. continues to urge the North Korean government to end the punishment and imprisonment of North Koreans who have sought asylum abroad as well as their family members.
“The United States welcomes Special Rapporteur Darusman’s thoughtful report to the Human Rights Council,” said United States Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Robert King in Geneva, Switzerland this week. ”We hope the D.P.R.K. will work with Mr. Darusman, and recognize the benefits of cooperating with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and thematic special rapporteurs. The D.P.R.K. could use this opportunity to obtain valuable assistance from international human rights mechanisms,” said Special Envoy King. “We urge the D.P.R.K. to allow the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and fulfill his mandate to observe and assess the human rights situation.”
“We urge the D.P.R.K. to allow the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and fulfill his mandate."