The UN Special Rapporteur for North Korean human rights, Tomas Ojea Quintana [official website], is urging the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the UN member states to bring human rights violations committed by North Korea before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and address “the grave human rights situation” in the country. In a detailed report [text, DOC] prepared with the help of legal experts Sonja Biserko of Serbia and Sara Hossain of Bangladesh, Quintana made references to North Korea’s repeated nuclear and missile tests, political prison camps, abductions and lack of reliable information on the same for concerned relatives, enforced disappearances, violations of international labor standards with respect to overseas workers in the country, and a general lack of access to information as particular concerns that needed immediate attention. Quintana intends to continue pursuing a two-track strategy to resolving these concerns, which involve engaging with the North Korea authorities to promote human rights compliance and bringing human rights violators to justice, particularly where crimes against humanity are involved. The report specifically urges the UNHRC to ensure “that perpetrators of gross violations are held responsible” and support “all victims in their quest for truth and justice.” Toward that end, the report also urges the international community to “facilitate monitoring efforts … by providing information and access to victims of and witnesses to human rights violations” in North Korea. The conclusions and recommendations contained in this report will be formally presented on March 13 in a regular session of the UNHRC.

North Korea is well known for human rights violations, which has led to frequent sanctions. Earlier this month Freedom House [advocacy website], an “independent watchdog organization,” released [JURIST report] its 2017 “Freedom in the World” report, listing North Korea as one of the least-free nations in the world. Last month the Obama administration expanded sanctions [JURIST report] against North Korea for alleged human rights violations, adding eight North Korean government officials to the Specially Designated Nationals List. Kim Jong-un and 10 other high ranking officials were placed on the list [JURIST report] in July after the release of the report detailing the human rights violations in the country. In December, the Institute for National Security Strategy released a report [JURIST report] asserting that Kim ordered the executions of 340 people in the five years that he has been in power.