Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the UNSC Briefing on the Situation in the DPRK - August 17th, 2023

Madam President,

I thank Mr. Volker Turk and Ms. Elizabeth Salmón for their comprehensive briefings, and Mr. IIhyeok Kimfor his testimony.

Brazil’s position has consistently been that debates on human rights issues should take place in the appropriate fora. Those discussions are most effective when they avoid accusations of selectivity and seek to implement rights for all.

Brazil defended the creation, in 2006, of a constructive, universal, non-selective and non-politicized forum for human rights in Geneva. For that reason, we are an active participant of the Human Rights Council as well as of other bodies dedicated to this matter of utmost importance.

Recognizing that rule 2 provides for the Presidency for calling a meeting at any member's request, it is our duty to recall that the object of the meeting must be within the mandate of the Council.

Madam President,

Brazil remains concerned about the persistent reports of systematic violations of human rights in the DPRK and has participated in discussions on the subject in the appropriate UN bodies. Brazil has also supported resolutions concerning the situation of human rights in the DPRK both in the Human Rights Council and in the Third Committee of the General Assembly.

We have been equally vocal in drawing attention to the grave humanitarian situation faced by the country's civilian population. We continue to be troubled by findings of the Panel of Experts that conclude that the sanctions regime, in itself, has had unintended impacts on the humanitarian situation. We must do more to reduce these impacts.

We therefore reiterate our call for a sustained process of engagement with DPRK. Only through dialogue can the many issues in the file begin to be addressed, including the Human Rights situation in all its dimensions. Isolation does not help the people of the DPRK, nor does it bring us closer to our goal of a Korean Peninsula that is peaceful, stable and free of nuclear weapons.

I thank you.