United Nations human rights experts warned that the execution of a senior official in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), with a total disregard of due process and other international human rights standards, is just one among multiple executions reported in the country since August this year.

“The arrest, trial by a special military tribunal and execution of Jang Song Thaek... all reportedly took place within five days,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in DPRK, Marzuki Darusman.

“I deeply deplore the recent executions which were allegedly founded on political grounds,” the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, said.

 

The experts concerns have also been endorsed by the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan E. Méndez.

 

The United Nations Special Rapporteurs are part of what it is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. They are charged by the Human Rights Council to monitor, report and advise on human rights issues.  Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.