The US Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues Ambassador Julie Turner will commence on a crucial European tour from November 5th to 8th, 2024. Her itinerary includes visits to London and Paris, where she will engage in high-level discussions with government officials, civil society organizations, and North Korean defectors, reads a press release.
The primary focus of her trip is to address the ongoing human rights crisis in North Korea. The regime's systematic abuses, including forced labor camps, arbitrary detention, torture, and widespread surveillance, have long been documented by international human rights organizations.
By meeting with North Korean defectors, Ambassador Turner will gain firsthand accounts of the harrowing experiences endured by those who have managed to escape the oppressive regime.
In London and Paris, Ambassador Turner will advocate for increased international pressure on North Korea to improve its human rights record. She will urge governments to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses and to support UN resolutions condemning the regime's actions. Additionally, she will emphasize the importance of providing humanitarian assistance to North Korean refugees and asylum seekers.
Following her visits to London and Paris, Ambassador Turner will travel to Geneva to participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of North Korea at the UN Human Rights Council. The UPR is a mechanism through which all UN Member States are reviewed every four years. During the review, member states will have the opportunity to assess North Korea's human rights record and make recommendations for improvement.
The United States remains unwavering in its commitment to promoting human rights and accountability for those who perpetrate abuses. By engaging with international partners and advocating for stronger measures, the US aims to bring about meaningful change in North Korea and to ensure that the victims of the regime's atrocities receive justice.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
