UN / DPRK HUMAN RIGHTS

The Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Marzuki Darusman, told journalists that the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK “incontrovertibly, and on reasonable grounds, have been able to establish that denial of human rights in the DPRK amount to crimes against humanity.” He said that “ICC referral is not the only route that the Commission had recommended.” UNIFEED - UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:22
• Production Date: 28 October 2014
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - OHCHR
• Subject Topical: HUMAN RIGHTS
• Geographic Subject: DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
• MAMS Id: 1223845

Description

STORY: UN / DPRK HUMAN RIGHTS
TRT: 2.22
SOURCE: UNIFEED - UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGAUGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 28 OCTOBER 2014, NEW YORK CITY / RECENT

Shotlist

RECENT – NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

28 OCTOBER 2014, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, dais
3. Wide shot, journalists
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK):
“Incontrovertibly, and on reasonable grounds, have been able to establish that denial of human rights in the DPRK amount to crimes against humanity, which is the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry that was given by the Council.”
5. Med shot, journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK):
“The ICC referral is not the only route that the Commission had recommended in its report. It also envisaged the possibility of addressing the issue through the mechanisms, standing mechanisms within the UN in the form of tribunals that could be established to address a specific situation.”
7. Med shot, journalists
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK):
“Any visit would have to be undertaken with a view to allow the Rapporteur access into any location, institution which would be a primary concern of the international community.”
9. Med shot, journalist
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK):
“It’s interesting that these actions or these movements have taken place only after the Commission of Inquiry’s report. I don’t think it is incidental. I don’t think it’s something that is not related to that.”
10. Zoom out, end of presser

Storyline

The Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Marzuki Darusman, told reporters today (28 Oct) that the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK “incontrovertibly, and on reasonable grounds, have been able to establish that denial of human rights in the DPRK amount to crimes against humanity.”

Darusman, who had earlier presented his report to the General Assembly’s Third Committee, said that referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC) “is not the only route that the Commission had recommended in its report.”

He said the report also envisages the possibility of addressing the issue through “standing mechanisms within the UN in the form of tribunals that could be established to address a specific situation.”

Regarding the possibility of being allowed by the government of the DPRK to visit the country, the Special Rapporteur said “any visit would have to be undertaken with a view to allow the Rapporteur access into any location, institution which would be a primary concern of the international community.”

Regarding recent concessions by the government to the DPRK, he said it was “interesting that these actions or these movements have taken place only after the Commission of Inquiry’s report. I don’t think it is incidental. I don’t think it’s something that is not related to that.”

On 21 March 2013, at its 22nd session, the United Nations Human Rights Council established the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK.

Resolution A/HRC/RES/22/13 mandates the body to investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in the country, with a view to ensuring full accountability, in particular for violations which may amount to crimes against humanity.

Special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.