Accountability is essential to combat human rights violations in North Korea

In a verbal update to the Human Rights Council – the UN’s main human rights body – Deputy High Commissioner Nada Al-Nashif said North Korea (better known as North Korea) was showing no signs of compliance.

“Since there is no indication that the state will tackle impunity, it is imperative that accountability is pursued beyond the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” she said.

“This should be achieved primarily through referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC), or prosecutions at the national level in accordance with international standards and under accepted principles of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction,” she urged.

The deputy head of the rights agency OHCHR noted that non-legal accountability is important.

“Combined with criminal accountability efforts, non-legal accountability is essential if victims are to receive any form of justice during their lifetime.”

Broad consultations

Ms. Al-Nashif said that in developing possible strategies, OHCHR has consulted extensively over the past year with national and international judicial officials and practitioners, governments, civil society experts and academia.

For example, last month the Bureau brought together experts on all aspects of accountability at a conference to discuss future options and best practices.

“This included criminal and civil liability options as well as non-judicial forms of liability such as truth-telling, remembrance and reparations,” she said.

Raise awareness

The Deputy High Commissioner said OHCHR has deployed additional resources over the past year to raise awareness of the human rights situation in North Korea.

In April 2023, it published a landmark report on enforced disappearances and kidnappings, including of nationals from the neighboring Republic of Korea and Japan.

“The report illustrates the impact of the crime on the victims and their families, and their demands and needs for accountability,” she said.

Protect refugees

Ms. Al-Nashif emphasized that those who escaped from North Korea and the victims of rights violations are a vital source of information about the situation in the country and about possible accountability processes.

“I continue to call on all relevant Member States to ensure OHCHR has full and unhindered access to refugees,” she said.

She also urged all states to refrain from forcibly repatriating people to North Korea and providing them with protection and humanitarian support.

“Repatriation puts them at real risk of torture, arbitrary detention or other serious human rights violations,” she warned.