Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Mr President,

We thank the Special Rapporteur for her presentation and report.

New Zealand welcomes the report and reiterates our deep concern at the dire state of human rights in the DPRK. The DPRK's continued systematic, widespread use of violence, repression, and the breach of its citizens' human rights is unacceptable.

New Zealand is deeply alarmed at reports of forced labour and arbitrary detention of North Koreans of all ages, including children, as well as sexual violence perpetrated against women. We call for accountability in addressing these - and other - grave human rights violations.

The DPRK must decriminalise the rightful exercise of fundamental freedoms and ensure that these rights can be enjoyed without State-sanctioned surveillance, monitoring and punishment. This includes the right to education, and freedom of thought, expression, association, religion, and movement both domestically and internationally.

We urge the DPRK to allow independent international monitoring of the country's human rights and humanitarian situation. The DPRK must allow the return of the United Nations Development Programme and other international aid agencies to support the basic needs of North Koreans and support the sustainable development of the country.

Special Rapporteur, how can states encourage the DPRK to engage with the recommendations from its Universal Periodic Review and with your own important role?

Thank you Mr President.

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