United Nations Third Committee: Australian statement at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Statement delivered by Ms. Ruby Saulwick, Adviser, Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations
27 October 2026
Thank you Chair.
Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report.
More than a decade after the Commission of Inquiry concluded that systematic and widespread human rights violations amounting to crimes against humanity were committed in the DPRK, no meaningful progress has been made.
Australia reiterates its deep concern at ongoing restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of movement, expression and access to information.
We are concerned by credible reports of transnational repression, including enforced disappearances, the exploitation of overseas workers, and the targeting of escapees and their families, including through cyberattacks targeting diaspora communities.
The DPRK’s military cooperation with Russia and continued diversion of resources to its unlawful weapons programs comes at the expense of the welfare and human rights of its citizens.
Australia is also alarmed by a growing tendency among some Member States to encourage others to overlook the DPRK’s persistent disregard for human rights.
Special Rapporteur, how can we sustain international pressure to ensure the DPRK’s human rights violations are not normalised in the face of the regime’s concerted efforts to evade scrutiny?