Human Rights Council resolution 31/18 requested the UN High Commissioner to designate, for a period of six months, a maximum of two existing independent experts in support of the work of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to focus on issues of accountability for human rights violations in the country, in particular where such violations amount to crimes against humanity, as found by the commission of inquiry. On 9 September 2016, the High Commissioner designated Ms. Sara Hossain (Bangladesh) and Ms. Sonja Biserko (Serbia) as independent experts to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on issues of accountability for human rights violations in the DPRK. The Council resolution 31/18 requested the group of independent experts on accountability, "taking into account existing international law and prevailing State practices with regard to accountability:
(a) To explore appropriate approaches to seek accountability for human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in particular where such violations amount to crimes against humanity, as found by the commission of inquiry;
(b) To recommend practical mechanisms of accountability to secure truth and justice for the victims of possible crimes against humanity in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including the International Criminal Court".
The Report of the Group of Independent Experts on Accountability, was presented at the 34th session of the Human Rights Council on 13 March 2017.
Report of the Group of Independent Experts on Accountability
Statement of the Group of Independent Experts on Accountability
For more information:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/sp/countriesmandates/kp/pages/groupofindependentexpertsonaccountability.aspx