The European Parliament has given strong backing to the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) in to crimes against humanity in North Korea in an adopted resolution released on the 7th. The Japanese and Australian governments have already stated that they will work with other countries to achieve a consensus on the need for a COI.

Crucially for supporters of the creation of a COI, the adopted resolution “urges the UNHRC to act on the call by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish an international commission of inquiry into serious crimes that have been taking place in the DPRK for decades.”

As well as calling for the establishment of a COI, the European Parliament has offered support for “the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for another year.” The Parliament, in the released resolution, stated that the adoption of the resolution by consensus shows the high level of support for the mandate. They also urged for the North Korean authorities to work with the Special Rapporteur to help his investigations and reports on the country.

The 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council is a unique chance for the international community to work together to improve the human rights situation in North Korea as China, Cuba, and Russia are not members of this year’s Council.

Source: European Parliament