Countries & Regions
Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Abe by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
August 30, 2013
On August 30, commencing at 6:00 p.m. for about 50 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Prime Minister Abe began the meeting by welcoming the Commission, which consists of highly-experienced experts in the fields of human rights and humanitarian issues, to Japan, and he valued the fact that the Commission has been vigorously carrying out activities during its visit to Japan concerning the abduction issue and other aspects of the human rights situation in North Korea. On behalf of the Commission, the Chairman Michael Kirby responded that he is grateful for the assistance of Government and people of Japan prior to and during the Commission’s visit to Japan. He commented that the abduction issue is a serious problem, and showed respect to Prime Minister Abe’s determination to resolve this issue. Chairman Kirby also stated that the Commission intends to do its utmost to improve the human rights situation in North Korea, including resolving the abduction issue.
2. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe explained the background of the abduction issue by North Korea, and Japan’s stance on this issue. Prime Minister Abe reiterated his determination to fully resolve this issue during his administration. Chairman Kirby responded by once again highly valuing the efforts of Prime Minister Abe toward the abduction issue. They also stated that they will be compiling a report concerning the serious violations of human rights in North Korea, including the abduction issue, for submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and thus requested the Government of Japan for its continued assistance so that this report is a constructive one.
1. Prime Minister Abe began the meeting by welcoming the Commission, which consists of highly-experienced experts in the fields of human rights and humanitarian issues, to Japan, and he valued the fact that the Commission has been vigorously carrying out activities during its visit to Japan concerning the abduction issue and other aspects of the human rights situation in North Korea. On behalf of the Commission, the Chairman Michael Kirby responded that he is grateful for the assistance of Government and people of Japan prior to and during the Commission’s visit to Japan. He commented that the abduction issue is a serious problem, and showed respect to Prime Minister Abe’s determination to resolve this issue. Chairman Kirby also stated that the Commission intends to do its utmost to improve the human rights situation in North Korea, including resolving the abduction issue.
2. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe explained the background of the abduction issue by North Korea, and Japan’s stance on this issue. Prime Minister Abe reiterated his determination to fully resolve this issue during his administration. Chairman Kirby responded by once again highly valuing the efforts of Prime Minister Abe toward the abduction issue. They also stated that they will be compiling a report concerning the serious violations of human rights in North Korea, including the abduction issue, for submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and thus requested the Government of Japan for its continued assistance so that this report is a constructive one.
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*The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.