[Event]NKDB participates in the Ministry of Unification’s International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights in Geneva
24 Apr 2025
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From October 28 to 29, the 2024 International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights was held in Geneva, Switzerland. NKDB Human Rights analyst Unique Kim participated as a panelist and gave a presentation on the theme of “Human Rights Agenda for North Korea’s 4th UPR”.
The presentation addressed key trends and challenges observed since North Korea’s previous Universal Periodic Review (UPR) including :
Areas that worsened during the 3rd UPR cycle: Political and civil rights (restrictions on freedom of movement, religion, freedom of expression, adoption of the three major repressive laws).
Partial progress during the 3rd UPR cycle: Rights of vulnerable groups (attempt to protect persons with disabilities, women and children, but insufficient guarantee of actual rights).
Covid-19 response and healthcare system : conditions remain severely inadequate.
Gap between North Korea’s claims and reality : North Korea’s national report for the 4th UPR fails to mention laws such as the Anti Reactionary Thought Law, and falsely claims that the death penalty is only applied in cases where it protects the right to life of others.
Strategy proposal for the 4th UPR: encourage more effective human rights dialogue through concrete and monitorable recommendations.
NKDB will continue to systematically research North Korea’s human rights situation and compare it with the North Korean government’s official recommendations. The organization will also provide recommendations that can lead to practical progress on serious human rights issues, even under limited conditions.
The review of North Korea’s 4th UPR, during which the North Korean government’s official stance and the international community’s recommendations was addressed, was broadcasted live on the UN Webcast on November 7 at 10:30 PM KST.
From October 28 to 29, the 2024 International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights was held in Geneva, Switzerland. NKDB Human Rights analyst Unique Kim participated as a panelist and gave a presentation on the theme of “Human Rights Agenda for North Korea’s 4th UPR”.
The presentation addressed key trends and challenges observed since North Korea’s previous Universal Periodic Review (UPR) including :
Areas that worsened during the 3rd UPR cycle: Political and civil rights (restrictions on freedom of movement, religion, freedom of expression, adoption of the three major repressive laws).
Partial progress during the 3rd UPR cycle: Rights of vulnerable groups (attempt to protect persons with disabilities, women and children, but insufficient guarantee of actual rights).
Covid-19 response and healthcare system : conditions remain severely inadequate.
Gap between North Korea’s claims and reality : North Korea’s national report for the 4th UPR fails to mention laws such as the Anti Reactionary Thought Law, and falsely claims that the death penalty is only applied in cases where it protects the right to life of others.
Strategy proposal for the 4th UPR: encourage more effective human rights dialogue through concrete and monitorable recommendations.
NKDB will continue to systematically research North Korea’s human rights situation and compare it with the North Korean government’s official recommendations. The organization will also provide recommendations that can lead to practical progress on serious human rights issues, even under limited conditions.
The review of North Korea’s 4th UPR, during which the North Korean government’s official stance and the international community’s recommendations was addressed, was broadcasted live on the UN Webcast on November 7 at 10:30 PM KST.