UN disability rights expert announces first visit to North Korea
GENEVA / PYONGYANG (27 April 2017) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities,
Ms. Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, will conduct an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from 3 to 8
May 2017 to learn about the situation of persons with disabilities in the country, with a particular focus on children
with disabilities.
Ms. Devandas-Aguilar’s visit will be the first ever to the country by an independent expert designated by the UN Human
Rights Council.
“My upcoming visit to DPRK represents a key opportunity to learn firsthand about national realities, laws, policies and
programmes concerning people with disabilities, as well as the challenges and opportunities the Government faces in
implementing the Convention”, the human rights expert said noting the DPRK’s recent ratification of the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in December 2016.
The human rights expert, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government, will meet with Government
representatives, UN officials, international humanitarian organizations, the Korean Federation for the Protection of the
Disabled and other affiliated organizations, and people with disabilities themselves.
During her six-day mission, Ms. Devandas-Aguilar will visit Pyongyang and the South Hwanghae Province.
“I look forward to engaging with the Government, humanitarian actors and people with disabilities to identify needs and
practical approaches in order to formulate constructive recommendations that can contribute to enhance protection for
people with disabilities and compliance with the Convention,” she said.
The Special Rapporteur reports to the UN Human Rights Council and advises on the realisation of the rights of people
with disabilities word-wide, supporting States to identify good practices, opportunities, challenges and protection gaps
in this area. Her work is guided by the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and other international
human rights standards.
On 8 May 2017 at 4 p.m., Ms. Devandas Aguilar will hold a press conference at the Hotel Koryo in Pyongyang to share with the media her preliminary observations on the visit. Access to the press
conference is strictly limited to journalists.
The Special Rapporteur will submit a comprehensive report to the UN Human Rights Council, including her findings and
recommendations, in March 2018.
ENDS