Permanent Mission of India

Geneva

UPR WORKING GROUP – NINETEENTH SESSION

[28 April – 9 May 2014]

UPR OF DPRK

(1 May 2014)

INTERVENTION BY INDIA

President,

1. India welcomes the delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and thanks the delegation for its presentation on the comprehensive National Report.  We welcome DPRK’s cooperation with the UPR mechanism which provides for a constructive dialogue on the progress and challenges on human rights in the country.

Mr. President,

2. We welcome the UN Country Team’s indication of noticeable progress since the previous UPR in 2009, including the adoption of the Medium Strategic Plan for Development of the Health Sector 2010-2015 and commitment by the Government to increase domestic health financing.  However, serious concerns have been expressed with regard to unequal access to food and scarcity of food.  In this regard, we recommend that the DPRK considers the request of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food to visit the country.

3. We take positive note of the importance attached to create favourable conditions for children to grow up and develop.  We are happy that DPRK is considering signing the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We recommend that DPRK takes further measures to improve access to essential medicines, health care and education and nutrition of children

4. We welcome the recent holding of family reunion in February this year which had not taken place since 2010. We encourage DPRK to continue to facilitate such reunions on a regular basis.  We request the delegation to share information on its plans to make it easier for its citizens to travel outside the country.

5. During the last UPR, India had raised the issue of possible establishment of a National Human Rights Institution. We believe that an effective national institution for the promotion and protection of human rights in DPRK will contribute towards the objective of a culture of respect for human rights in the country. We, therefore, recommend that DPRK establish a National Human Rights Institution in accordance with the Paris Principles.

Thank you Mr. President.

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