Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea A/RES/72/188 and expecting the resolution of all issues related to the Japanese nationals, in particular the return of all abductees, to be achieved at the earliest possible date, Welcoming and further encouraging the efforts of Member States to raise international awareness about the human rights situation in the Democratic People ’s Republic of Korea, Noting the importance of dialogue for the improvement of the human rights and humanitarian situation in the country, Underlining the efforts of the Secretary-General to contribute to improving inter-Korean relations and promoting reconciliation and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the well-being of the Korean people, Noting with concern the suspension of the reunions of separated families across the border since October 2015, and, given that this is an urgent humanitarian concern of the entire Korean people, owing, in particular, to the advanced age of many members of the separated families, hoping that necessary arrangements for resuming reunions, confirming the fate of family members, exchanging letters, visiting their hometowns and holding further reunions on a larger scale and a regular basis will be made by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea and members of the Korean diaspora, 1. Condemns the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in the Democratic People ’s Republic of Korea, including those which the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 22/13 of 21 March 2013, 11 has said may amount to crimes against humanity, and the continuing impunity for such violations; 2. Expresses its very serious concern at: (a) The persistence of continuing reports of violations of human rights, including the detailed findings made by the commission of inquiry in its report, 2 such as: (i) Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including inhuman conditions of detention; rape; public executions; extrajudicial and arbitrary detention; the absence of due process and the rule of law, including fair trial guarantees and an independent judiciary; extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions; the imposition of the death penalty for political and religious reasons; collective punishments extending up to three generations; and the extensive use of forced labour; (ii) The existence of an extensive system of political prison camps, where a vast number of persons are deprived of their liberty and subjected to deplorable conditions, including forced labour, and where alarming violations of human rights are perpetrated; (iii) The forcible transfer of populations and the limitations imposed on every person who wishes to move freely within the country and travel abroad, including the punishment of those who leave or try to leave the country without permission, or their families, as well as punishment of persons who are returned; (iv) The situation of refugees and asylum seekers expelled or returned to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and retaliations against citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea who have been repatriated from abroad, __________________ 11 4/10 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/68/53), chap. IV, sect. A. 17-23184