Featured: Commission of Inquiry In March 2013, the Human Rights Council established the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and mandated the commission to investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in DPRK, with a view to ensuring full accountability, in particular, for violations that may amount to crimes against humanity. Read more about the Commission DOCUMENTSSummary Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (A/HRC/25/63)Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | SpanishKorean (unofficial translation) | Japanese (unofficial translation)Full Report of the Detailed Findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (A/HRC/25/CRP.1)English | Korean (unofficial translation) | Japanese (unofficial translation) 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 MULTIMEDIAPublic Hearings (Programs, Videos and Transcripts): The Commission of Inquiry conducted Public Hearings in Seoul (20-24 August 2013), Tokyo (29-30 August 2013), London (23 October 2013) and Washington, D.C. (30-31 October 2013) during which almost 80 victims and witnesses of human rights violations as well as experts provided testimony on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.Video Excerpts of the Public HearingsRead more about the Public Hearings Reports Title/Name DescriptionPublished Date Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaLatest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the 73rd General Assembly. 19/09/2018Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the Human Rights CouncilReport of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the Human Rights Council09/03/2018Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaThe report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, Tomás Ojea Quintana, submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution 71/202.18/09/2017Report of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights Situation in the DPRKThe Secretary-General's report to the General Assembly 2017 on the Human Rights Situation in the DPRK (A/72/279)03/08/2017Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's republic of Korea to the Human Rights CouncilLatest Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's republic of Korea to the Human Rights Council10/03/2017Report of Group of Independent Experts on AccountabilityThe report of group of independent experts explores practical options towards accountability to hold perpetrators of gross human rights violations accountable. The report is annexed to the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights violations in the DPRK. 10/03/2017TORN APART: the human right dimension of the involuntary separation of Korean familiesThe report examines the different and complex way families have been separated since the 1950-53 Korean War: through displacement, enforced disappearance and abduction and also as a result of individuals fleeing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 07/12/2016Report of the Secretary General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (A/71/439)Report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 07/10/2016Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (A/71/402)Latest Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's republic of Korea to the General Assembly26/09/2016Report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights with regard to the situation of human rights in DPRK (A/HRC/31/38)Report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights with regard to the situation of human rights in DPRK01/02/2016Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaLatest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the Human Rights Council19/01/2016Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Korea (A/70/393)Latest report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Korea25/09/2015Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the General Assembly (A/70/362) Latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the 70th General Assembly. 08/09/2015Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (A/HRC/28/71)Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea18/03/2015Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Korea (A/69/639) Report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Korea 05/12/2014Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of KoreaThe Commission found that a wide array of crimes against humanity have been committed and continue to take place in DPRK, according to the report. Available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and Korean. 15/02/2014Universal Periodic Review 2nd Cycle on the Democratic People's Republic of KoreaThe Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. Compliance Detailsjavascript:commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx' +'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null);0x00x1ContentType0x01898Document Set Version History/_layouts/15/images/versions.gif?rev=23javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/DocSetVersions.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520330Send To other location/_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=23javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + '/_layouts/15/docsetsend.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520350 UN Resolutions Title/Name Date Human Rights Council resolution (A/HRC/37/L.29) on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea20/03/2018Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/34/24 on the situation of human rights in DPRK24/03/2017General Assemly Resolution A/RES/71/202 on situations of human rights in the DPRK 19/12/2016Security Council Resolution S/RES/2321 on non-proliferation/Democratic People's Republic of Korea30/11/2016Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HRC/RES/31/18) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK21/03/2016Security Council Resolution 2270 concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea02/03/2016General Assembly Resolution concerning the situation of human rights in the DPRK (A/Res/70/172)17/12/2015 Security Council Resolution S/RES/2207 (2015) adopted on 4 March 2015 on Non-proliferation/Democratic People's Republic of Korea04/03/2015General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/188 adopted on 18 December 2014 on the Situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea18/12/2014Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/25/25 adopted on 28 March 2014 on the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea28/03/2014Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/19/13 adopted on 3 April 2012 on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea03/04/2012Compliance Detailsjavascript:commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx' +'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null);0x00x1ContentType0x01898Document Set Version History/_layouts/15/images/versions.gif?rev=23javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/DocSetVersions.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520330Send To other location/_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=23javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + '/_layouts/15/docsetsend.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520350 UN/OHCHR Publications Title/Name Date DescriptionFact SheetsFact Sheets provide information on a wide range of human rights subjects. By researching and focusing on an issue, a Fact Sheet helps readers understand human rights and related topics, and the international machinery that has been established to promote and protect them.Special Issue materialsSpecial Issues explore selected subjects in greater depth. The subjects are chosen in the light of their topicality, urgency and recent developments that have led to a change of perspective or emphasis. Reference MaterialsReference materials give researchers and human rights law practitioners access to key human rights instruments and other essential information. These materials also include jurisprudence from human rights treaty bodies. Training and Education materialsTraining and Educational materials consist of guides, manuals and handbooks for indigenous peoples, minorities, professional groups (e.g. police, prison officials, judges, parliamentarians, human rights monitors, election monitors and social workers) and educational institutions. Policy and Methodological materialsPolicy and Methodological materials provide practical and policy guidance on the method of application and implementation of human rights norms.Record of a Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK 10 December 2015Record of a Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK Compliance Detailsjavascript:commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx' +'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null);0x00x1ContentType0x01898Document Set Version History/_layouts/15/images/versions.gif?rev=23javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/DocSetVersions.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520330Send To other location/_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=23javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + '/_layouts/15/docsetsend.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520350
In March 2013, the Human Rights Council established the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and mandated the commission to investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in DPRK, with a view to ensuring full accountability, in particular, for violations that may amount to crimes against humanity.
Read more about the Commission
MULTIMEDIA
Public Hearings (Programs, Videos and Transcripts): The Commission of Inquiry conducted Public Hearings in Seoul (20-24 August 2013), Tokyo (29-30 August 2013), London (23 October 2013) and Washington, D.C. (30-31 October 2013) during which almost 80 victims and witnesses of human rights violations as well as experts provided testimony on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the 73rd General Assembly.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the Human Rights Council
The report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, Tomás Ojea Quintana, submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution 71/202.
The Secretary-General's report to the General Assembly 2017 on the Human Rights Situation in the DPRK (A/72/279)
Latest Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's republic of Korea to the Human Rights Council
The report of group of independent experts explores practical options towards accountability to hold perpetrators of gross human rights violations accountable. The report is annexed to the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights violations in the DPRK.
The report examines the different and complex way families have been separated since the 1950-53 Korean War: through displacement, enforced disappearance and abduction and also as a result of individuals fleeing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Latest Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's republic of Korea to the General Assembly
Latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the Human Rights Council
Latest report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Korea
Latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the 70th General Assembly.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Korea
The Commission found that a wide array of crimes against humanity have been committed and continue to take place in DPRK, according to the report. Available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and Korean.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States.
Fact Sheets provide information on a wide range of human rights subjects. By researching and focusing on an issue, a Fact Sheet helps readers understand human rights and related topics, and the international machinery that has been established to promote and protect them.
Special Issues explore selected subjects in greater depth. The subjects are chosen in the light of their topicality, urgency and recent developments that have led to a change of perspective or emphasis.
Reference materials give researchers and human rights law practitioners access to key human rights instruments and other essential information. These materials also include jurisprudence from human rights treaty bodies.
Training and Educational materials consist of guides, manuals and handbooks for indigenous peoples, minorities, professional groups (e.g. police, prison officials, judges, parliamentarians, human rights monitors, election monitors and social workers) and educational institutions.
Policy and Methodological materials provide practical and policy guidance on the method of application and implementation of human rights norms.
Record of a Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK
Other Links TItle/Name DescriptionUnited Nations Country Team in the Democratic People's Republic of KoreaThe UN Country Team in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea comprises six resident UN agencies – FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, and WHO – and 8 non-resident UN agencies.Sanctions Committee (The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006)The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) was established on 14 October 2006 to oversee the relevant sanctions measures and to undertake the tasks set out in paragraph 12 of that same resolution. Additional functions were entrusted by the Council to the Committee in resolutions 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013) and 2094 (2013).Compliance Detailsjavascript:commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx' +'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null);0x00x1ContentType0x01898Document Set Version History/_layouts/15/images/versions.gif?rev=23javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/DocSetVersions.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520330Send To other location/_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=23javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + '/_layouts/15/docsetsend.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520350
The UN Country Team in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea comprises six resident UN agencies – FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, and WHO – and 8 non-resident UN agencies.
The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) was established on 14 October 2006 to oversee the relevant sanctions measures and to undertake the tasks set out in paragraph 12 of that same resolution. Additional functions were entrusted by the Council to the Committee in resolutions 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013) and 2094 (2013).