Any progress in the nuclear and security dialogue with North Korea at upcoming summits must be accompanied by discussions on improving human rights, the U.N. investigator on the isolated country said on Monday.
Tomas Ojea-Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), told the Human Rights Council: "The country's extensive penitentiary system and severe restrictions on all forms of free expression, movement and access to information continue to nurture fear of the state and leave people at the mercy of unaccountable public officials."
The delegation of North Korea, which does not recognise his mandate, did not attend the debate in Geneva. The European Union voiced deep concern at continuing violations, saying "some of which may amount to crimes again humanity".
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