Democratic People's Republic of Korea

MS NAUERT: Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for coming, especially on a Friday. Today the State Department released the 2017 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Promoting freedom – promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms are central to who we are as a country, and the United States will continue to support those around the world struggling for human dignity and liberty.

12 April 2018 (Pyongyang): The humanitarian community in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is urgently requesting US$111 million to assist millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance.

OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION

Amidst political tensions, an estimated 10.3 million people across DPRK continue to suffer from food insecurity and undernutrition, as well as a lack of access to basic services. Recurrent natural hazards – particularly extended droughts punctuated by near-annual floods – exacerbate and create new humanitarian needs. As a result, people have crucial and unmet food, nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene needs

Chronic food insecurity

Global Overview MARCH 2018

Summary:

This report gives an account of the humanitarian situation and the response carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Red Cross Society (DPRK RCS) during the period between 12 September 2016 and 31 December 2017, as per revised Emergency Operation Appeal (EPOA) with the support of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to meet the needs of floods affected families of North Hamgyong Province in DPRK.

GENEVA (23 March 2018) - The Human Rights Council in its midday meeting adopted five resolutions in which it extended the mandates on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Syria, Iran, South Sudan and Myanmar.

By Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

Leadership across the WHO South-East Asia Region to End TB by 2030 is formidable. It has also gathered pace. Last week’s Statement of Action on Ending TB – developed and adopted by the Region’s ministers of health and representatives at the ‘End TB Summit’ in New Delhi, India – shows exactly how and why.

Avant-propos

SIPRI releases its Annual Review 2017, looking back on the institute’s highlights from the previous year.

The Annual Review 2017 covers SIPRI's work throughout the past year, including maintaining its world-renowned databases and evolving its research agenda to adjust to the global threat environment.

Geneva, Thursday 15 March 2018

Humanitarian access has deteriorated in seven countries over the past six months, according to the Humanitarian Access Overview report released today by ACAPS.

Out of the 37 countries included in the report, nearly half of them (18) are currently facing high humanitarian access constraints. Moderate humanitarian access constraints are an issue in nine countries and ten present low humanitarian access constraints.

Funding required: $23.18 B
Funding received: $936.6 M
Funding percentage: 3.8%
People in need: 128.8 M
People to receive aid: 93.6 M Countries affected: 35

MORNING

Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Provides Oral Updates on the Democratic People’s republic of Korea and on Eritrea

GENEVA (14 March 2018) - The Human Rights Council this morning heard oral updates from Kate Gilmore, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and on Eritrea, then began its general debate on human rights situations requiring its attention.

High levels of food insecurity persist in the world, due largely to conflicts and to adverse climatic shocks that are taking a toll, particularly in East African and Near East countries, where large numbers of people continue to be in need of humanitarian assistance, a new FAO report notes. Some 37 countries are in need of external assistance for food, unchanged from three months ago, according to the Crop Prospects and Food Situation report issued today.

(Geneva) – North Korean escapees and criminal justice experts will offer a rare view of pervasive human rights violations in everyday life in North Korea during a side event at the United Nations Human Rights Council session this week, Human Rights Watch said today.

MORNING

GENEVA (12 March 2018) - The Human Rights Council this morning held an interactive dialogue with Tomás Ojea Quintana, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Human Rights Council
Thirty-seventh session
26 February – 23 March 2018
Agenda item 4
Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

I. Introduction

7 March 2018

Distinguished President,
Excellencies,
Colleagues, Friends,

A few days ago, we celebrated the centenary year of Nelson Mandela’s birth. We spoke of his example; his fortitude, his suffering and compassion, while recalling also the declaration that he and my predecessor Mary Robinson signed in 2000 on diversity and tolerance.

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the advances made during the latest inter-Korean talks, particularly the agreement to hold a summit meeting soon, to further reduce military tensions, and to discuss denuclearization in future talks with all relevant parties. He stresses the need to protect the momentum and seize the opportunities available to find a peaceful path forward.