UN Human Rights Council 60th Session
Item 4 - Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on HC report on DPRK.
Nordic-Baltic Statement by H.E. Ambassador Riia Salsa-Audiffren
Geneva, 22 September 2025
Thank you, Mr. President.
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.
We thank the High Commissioner for his update.
DPRK remains one of the most isolated countries in the world, with devastating consequences for its people. We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing serious systematic, widespread and grave human rights violations, as well as crimes against humanity committed in the country.
OHCHR’s monitoring confirms continuous operation of political prison camps, enforced disappearance, forced labour, sexual and gender-based violence, summary executions, and starvation. We call on the DPRK to respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms and fully cooperate with the UN human rights mechanisms.
As highlighted by the High Commissioner, DPRK continues to increase its military spending with heavy investment in new weapons and related technologies, as well as providing soldiers to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We call for the DPRK to immediately stop its involvement in the warfare in Ukraine and instead to respect – and invest in – the human rights of its own population.
Mr. High Commissioner, what can the international community do to alleviate the suffering of the people of DPRK?
Thank you.