MEDIA ADVISORY - UN expert on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea makes first visit to region

GENEVA (18 November 2010) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Mr. Marzuki Darusman, will carry out an official visit to the neighbouring Republic of Korea from 22-26 November 2010. Since the Special Rapporteur’s request to enter the DPRK was rejected by the Government in October, he will be visiting other countries in the region to gather information.

“This is my first mission to the region in my capacity as the Special Rapporteur. During this visit, I hope to gather first-hand information on the alleged human rights violations of the people of the DPRK. Since my appointment, I have been meeting a wide range of actors, outside the region, which has allowed me to have a preliminary understanding of the current situation in the DPRK. During this mission, and throughout my mandate, I will be looking at a wide range of human rights issues and equally at some of the immediate humanitarian needs of the people of the DPRK,” Mr. Darusman said.

While in the Republic of Korea, the Special Rapporteur will hold discussions with government authorities, civil society organizations and alleged victims of human rights violations.

At the end of his visit, Mr. Darusman will hold a press conference at 9:00 am on Friday 26 November at the Lotte Suite Hotel in Seoul.

Mr. Marzuki Darusman took over the mandate as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on 1 August 2010.

He will present his first report to the Human Rights Council in March 2011.

ENDS

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/countries/kp/mandate/

For more information or interviews, please contact: Ajith Sunghay at + 41 79 444 5515 or email asunghay@ohchr.org