EU Statement - HRC60 - Enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

EU Statement - HRC60 - Enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

60^th Session

Enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

EU statement

22 September 2025

Mr. President,

The European Union thanks the High Commissioner and his office for this comprehensive report, as well as all panelists who intervened today. We remain appalled by the widespread and systematic human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, many of which, as documented, may constitute crimes against humanity.

The report clearly shows that the overall situation of human rights in the DPRK has degraded since the publication of the findings of the Commission of Inquiry 10 years ago - the population of the DPRK continues to suffer brutal repression, fear and deprivation, in violation of the country's international human rights obligations. We strongly deplore that the situation has deteriorated further in several areas, including the wider application of the death penalty, forced labour, and restrictions on civic space and access to information.

The EU calls on the DPRK to address the findings of the Commission of Inquiry since 2014, and the recommendations in this new report, and to engage constructively with the UN human rights system. In that sense, we also urge the DPRK to implement the recommendations stemming from the fourth UPR cycle and Treaty Bodies reviews, and to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, the OHCHR, and other human rights mechanisms and grant them long-overdue access to the country.

The EU calls on all member states to fully respect the principle of non-refoulement and upon the DPRK to respect the right to freedom of movement within and outside the country.

We still hope that the DPRK might end its near-total isolation, resume full diplomatic engagement and allow the return of UN agencies and humanitarian actors to the country. We urge the DPRK to bring an end to their illicit nuclear and ballistic programmes, which are being prioritised over the well-being of its own people. The EU remains committed to ensuring that the human rights situation in the DPRK does not become a forgotten crisis and to working with partners to ensure accountability.

We strongly condemn the DPRK's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and urge it to immediately cease any direct or indirect assistance to Russia, including the deployment of military forces to Russia and their use on the battlefield against Ukraine.

Dear panellists,

What concrete actions should the international community prioritise to improve the situation of human rights in the country?

Thank you.