Family reunions between North and South Koreans welcomed

Family reunions between North and South Koreans welcomed by UN Special Rapporteur

GENEVA (20 August 2018) – The reunion of separated North and South Korean families has been welcomed by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“These reunions are a significant step on the path to fully respecting and honouring the human rights of all people living on the Korean peninsula and beyond,” said the Rapporteur, Tomás Ojea Quintana.

“This is the first such event since 2015 and, bearing in mind the ages of those affected, I encourage both sides to arrange more of these reunions as soon as possible so that more people can get together with their relatives and are allowed to remain in touch with them,” he added.

“The reunions which have begun today involve basic human rights and deserve our utmost solidarity,” said Mr. Ojea Quintana.

The Special Rapporteur also expressed hopes that more human rights issues would be addressed by the two Korean States in their negotiations, and stressed that the United Nations system was ready to give advice.

Mr. Ojea Quintana said he believed peace, security and development on the Korean peninsula would continue as long as the protection and promotion of human rights were duly discussed.

ENDS

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