The representative of Lithuania noted that the perpetrators of human rights violations in North Korea enjoy impunity as they act in accordance with the state policy. She stressed that the issue of accountability should be addressed by referring the situation in North Korea to the appropriate international criminal justice mechanism.
Ms. Kazragienė also strongly urged the Government of North Korea to cooperate fully with the Commission of Inquiry, in particular by granting full, free and unimpeded access to the country and to provide further access to the country to all United Nations entities.
The report on human rights situation in North Korea was released in February. It concluded that systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations, such as arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and others, have been and are being committed by North Korea, its institutions and officials. Arria formula meeting convened by Australia, France and the United States offered an opportunity to the UN member states, members of the Commission of Inquiry and civil society to discuss the ways to address the human rights situation in North Korea.
