UN commission warns leader Kim Jong-Un he could face trial for 'systematic and unparalleled' human rights abuses in North Korea

1 / 1

UN commission says regime is committing systematic human rights abuses on a scale which it describes as 'unparalleled in the modern world'

 A United Nations panel has warned North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un that he could face trial for crimes against humanity after a damning report on the secretive regime's record on human rights.

The UN's commission of inquiry on human rights in North Korea claims the leadership in the country is committing systematic human rights abuses on a scale which it describes as 'unparalleled in the modern world.'

The inquiry, which has been gathering evidence for nearly a year, took the unusual step of directly warning Kim that international prosecution is needed "to render accountable all those, including possibly yourself, who may be responsible for crimes against humanity".

"Even without being directly involved in crimes against humanity, a military commander may be held responsible for crimes against humanity committed by forces under the commander's effective command and control," the panel wrote.

The 372 page report pulls no punches in its indictment of North Korea for policies ranging from deliberate starvation and torture in political prison camps with 80,000 to 120,000 people, state-sponsored abductions, publicly motivated executions, and lifelong indoctrination.

The report also explains the panel's reason for the letter to Kim.

"In the letter, the commission drew attention to the principle of command and superior responsibility under international law," the report says. 

"It urged the Supreme Leader to prevent and suppress crimes against humanity, and to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and brought to justice."

The head of the panel, retired Australian judge Michael Kirby, said that "the letter to the Supreme Leader was respectful" but that it was impossible not to include his name in the list of suspects because of what he described as the government's totalitarian nature.

North Korean officials did not co-operate with the panel's investigation, saying in correspondence last year that the country "totally and categorically rejects" the probe ordered by the UN's 47-nation Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva.

Mr Kirby also wrote to China's UN ambassador in Geneva, saying there is evidence that Chinese officials have in some cases shared with North Korean officials "information about the contacts and conduct" of North Korean nationals subject to repatriation.

The ambassador, Wu Haitao, replied to the panel and denied that repatriated North Korean citizens from China face torture in North Korea. He added that China "will continue to prudently and properly handle" North Korean citizens who enter China illegally.