Appointment of New Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
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2010-06-19
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1. On June 18, the UN Human Rights Council appointed Marzuki Darusman (Indonesia) as the
successor to Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand), who has served as Special Rapporteur on the Situation
of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for the last 6 years, at its 14th
session (May 31 – June 18, Geneva).
ㅇ Since the post of Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK was created
in 2004 by the UN Commission on Human Rights’ (Human Rights Council’s predecessor) resolution
on the situation of human rights in North Korea, the Special Rapporteur’s mandate has been renewed
for 1 year every year. Most recently, the mandate was extended for a period of July, 2010 to June, 2011
by the Human Rights Council resolution in March, 2010.
2. In accordance with the Human Rights Council resolution, the current Rapporteur Muntarbhorn’s term
of office will expire in late June, and the incoming Rapporteur Darusman will serve from July, 2010 to
June, 2011 (1 year).
ㅇ Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 stipulates that a mandate-holder’s tenure in a given function
will be no longer than six years.
3. As the incoming Rapporteur Darusman, who served as the Chairman of Indonesia’s National Human
Rights Commission, Attorney General and a Member of Parliament, has participated in a variety of
activities to promote human rights in Asia as well as in Indonesia, he is expected to fulfill his role as
Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK competently.
4. The government of the Republic of Korea welcomes the appointment of Marzuki Darusman as new
Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK, and will provide strong support to
his activities to improve the North Korean human rights situation. Also, the ROK government hopes that
he will contribute to substantive improvements in the North Korean human rights conditions through
cooperative dialogue and close cooperation with the North Korean authorities.
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT
* unofficial translation