HRC58 - Iceland statement - A/HRC/58/L.2: Situation of human rights in the DPRK
Human Rights Council – 58th session
General Comment on draft resolution L.2
Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Statement by Iceland
3 April 2025
Mr. President,
Iceland would like to thank the European Union and Australia for presenting draft resolution L.2 on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We fully support the renewal of the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
11 years after the publication of the report of the Commission of Inquiry, it is crucial that this resolution continues to shed light on systematic, widespread, and grave human rights violations that persist in the DPRK, some of which may amount to crimes against humanity.
Iceland shares the concerns on the widespread impunity and absence of criminal accountability for such human rights violations. In that context, it is fundamental that OHCHR and its Seoul Office continue to independently gather, centralise, and preserve information. Without these efforts, no robust or effective accountability process can take place.
Mr. President,
In a context where the DPRK remains almost entirely shut from the rest of the world, including humanitarian aid, this Council cannot afford to turn a blind eye on the dire situation of human rights in the country.
Iceland will therefore join consensus on this important resolution and call on all members of this Council to do the same.
I thank you.