North Korea’s Abysmal Human Rights Record Linked to Weapons Programme

At a United Nations Security Council meeting, the stark contrast between North Korea’s mistreatment of its citizens and its investment in weapons of mass destruction was highlighted.

Substantial Evidence Links Human Rights Violations to WMD Programmes

Substantial evidence has directly linked the regime’s mistreatment of citizens with its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programmes. A representative stated that the Russian Federation’s veto of the 1718 Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts’ mandate renewal has deprived the international community of critical, unbiased reporting on the regime’s flagrant violations of Council resolutions.

Systematic, Widespread, and Gross Human Rights Violations

Representatives from various countries condemned North Korea’s long- standing and ongoing systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations. According to a UN Commission of Inquiry report, some of these violations may constitute crimes against humanity.

Situation of Women and Girls in North Korea

The representatives also expressed concern over the situation of women and girls in North Korea, who are exposed to: * Torture * Forced labour * Discrimination * Sexual and gender-based violence

Link Between Militarization and Human Rights Violations

North Korea’s increasing militarization is directly linked to its exploitation of workers and widespread use of forced labour, including the forced use of schoolchildren, for the advancement of its unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities.

Call for Action

Several countries called for action to be taken against North Korea’s human rights violations. The representative of France said that the Council must continue to remain seized of the human rights violations in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, adding that its Government is “thumbing its nose at the Council while provoking its neighbours”.

Human Rights Essential to Sustainable Development

The representative of Guyana emphasized that given the centrality of human rights to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, her country appreciates holding this meeting to closely examine the observed linkages and their impact on the Council’s work. She views “promoting and protecting basic human rights as fundamental to attaining sustainable peace, security, and development”.

A Call for Change

The representatives at the meeting made it clear that the international community will not stand idly by while North Korea continues to violate human rights. The call is for change, for accountability, and for the protection of the rights of all individuals in North Korea.

As the world looks on in concern, one thing is clear: the situation in North Korea must improve, and it must do so quickly.