Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Latest News: Launch of the report of the Commission of Inquiry on human rights in DPRK

• Press release
• Report and supporting documentation
• Statement made at Human Rights Council (17 March 2014)
• Video Excerpts from the Public Hearings of the Commission of Inquiry (23mins)

On 21 March 2013, at its 22nd session, the United Nations Human Rights Council  established the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Resolution A/HRC/RES/22/13 mandates the body  to investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, with a view to ensuring full accountability, in particular for violations which may amount to crimes against humanity. 

Among the violations to be investigated are those pertaining to the right to food, those associated with prison camps, torture and inhuman treatment, arbitrary detention, discrimination, freedom of expression, the right to life, freedom of movement, and enforced disappearances, including in the form of abductions of nationals of other States.  Read more about the Commission...

The United Nations Human Rights Council has established a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to investigate systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Read more...

Report of the Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea -­ A/HRC/25/63
36 pages
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
For additional translations (Korean, Japanese), please see the website of OHCHR (Seoul).

Report of the detailed findings of the Cmmission of Inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea -­A/HRC/25/CRP.1
372 pages
English
For additional translations (Korean, Japanese), please see the website of OHCHR (Seoul).

Questions and Answers on the Report of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
17 February 2014
English

All documents…

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is scheduled to present its report to the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 25th regular session in Geneva on 17 March 2014. Following this formal presentation of the report an interactive discussion will take place between the Commission, States and non-governmental organizations. The Council’s 25th session runs from 3 to 28 March 2014.

Human Rights in North Korea: Excerpts from the Public Hearings of the Commission of Inquiry (23mins)

Public Hearings (Programs, Videos, Transcripts)

Geneva Press Conference 17 February 2014

New York Press Conference 29 October 2013

Geneva Press Conference 17 September 2013

Seoul Press Conference 27 August 2013 - Audio

Tokyo Press Conference 31 August 2013 - Audio 

Pillay calls for urgent action on “historic” DPRK report
18 February 2014
English

Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
18 February 2014
English

North Korea: UN Commission documents wide-ranging and ongoing crimes against humanity, urges referral to ICC
17 February 2014
English

Report of Commission of Inquiry on Democratic People's Republic of Korea to go public on 17 February
11 February 2014
English

All press releases...

Current Commissioners:

Michael Donald Kirby (Australia)

Marzuki Darusman (Indonesia)

Sonja Biserko (Serbia)