Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur for
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
As Delivered by William J. Mozdzierz
Head of Delegation
Director of the Office of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs
Human Rights Council 34th session
Geneva, March 13, 2017
Thank you, Mr. President. The United States commends the Special Rapporteur for his report highlighting the need for justice and accountability for the egregious human rights violations and abuses committed by the DPRK government.
We remain deeply concerned by ongoing widespread and gross human rights violations and abuses in the DPRK, including summary executions, enslavement, torture, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearances.
We regret that the government continues to refuse to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and will not allow him to visit the country to investigate the situation of human rights in the DPRK, in accordance with his mandate.
We strongly support the efforts of the Special Rapporteur and the Group of Independent Experts in calling for justice and accountability and we commend the work of the OHCHR field office for its continued monitoring and documenting of human rights violations and abuses.
We urge the DPRK to engage directly with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Rapporteur Quintana, and thematic special rapporteurs on how to fulfill its international human rights obligations and commitments.
We reiterate that we are open to improved relations with the DPRK if it is willing to take concrete actions to live up to its international obligations and commitments. Ultimately, the DPRK will be judged not by its words, but by the actions it takes to uphold its obligations and commitments.
Special Rapporteur Quintana, do you have any recommendations for how we can promote justice and accountability for the human rights violations and abuses committed by the DPRK government?
(end statement)