Press Releases
Adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council
(Statement by Foreign Minister Taro Kono)
1. Japan welcomes the adoption by consensus of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK, co-tabled by Japan and the European Union (EU) on March 23 (March 23 local time), at the 37th Human Rights Council held in Geneva, Switzerland.
2. Based on last year’s Human Rights Council resolution, the resolution this year urges North Korea to take immediate steps to end all human rights violations, including the abductions issue. In addition, the resolution recalls last year’s United Nations General Assembly resolution that underscores very serious concerns regarding reports of abductions and other forms of human rights violations.
3. The resolution also notes the urgency as well as importance of the issue of international abductions and of the immediate return of all abductees, and expects the resolution of all issues related to the Japanese nationals, in particular the return of all abductees, to be achieved at the earliest possible date. The resolution strongly encourages the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to expedite the process for strengthening the capacity of the Office which the Council decided in the last year’s resolution, and requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to strengthen activities including those for advocacy.
4. The adoption of the resolution by consensus demonstrates the international community’s grave concerns about human rights violations in North Korea, including the abductions issue. Japan continues to strongly urge North Korea to sincerely accept the views of the international community expressed in this resolution and take concrete action towards the early resolution of the abductions issue and cooperation with the international community.