Resource Centre / General Info / International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Principles

The information in this section has been compiled by the OCHA HDRC in order to provide background material on humanitarian policies and principles in action in the DPRK.

United Nations humanitarian action in the DPRK is based on a broad body of international humanitarian and human rights law, including the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( ) ( ), the four 1949 Geneva Conventions, the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the two Additional 1977 Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, the 1981 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Sale of Children, Child Pornography and Child Prostitution and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (both entered into force in 2002) and General Assembly Resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991^[i

The Government of the DPRK is committed, through accession or otherwise, to all of these core international human rights instruments, demonstrating its desire to advance the rights of its people.^[ii]

Humanitarian action is guided by human rights and humanitarian principles. Being of a humanitarian nature, the programme recognises that the fulfillment of basic needs is part of a continuum of action leading to development, including the promotion of human rights.  Humanitarian assistance has human rights dimensions.  Every time a child is fed or a nursing mother receives medical care, the programme recognises that these actions are an affirmation of an individual’s right to a life with dignity. Within the DPRK aid agencies give emphasis to the following principles:  

Impartiality: The provision of humanitarian assistance is based on needs assessments carried out by the UN, IFRC, ICRC, and NGOs following internationally recognised standards, without discrimination.

Neutrality: Humanitarian action takes place without taking sides in political or ideological controversies.  Aid has an independent status beyond political considerations and should be viewed as such.

 Independence: Humanitarian organisations endeavour not to act as instruments of Government policy.  Humanitarian agencies formulate their own policies and strategies and will not implement any policy of any Government, except insofar as it coincides with their own policy.

Humanity: Human suffering is to be addressed wherever it exists.  The dignity and rights of all victims must be respected and protected.

Accountability: Humanitarian Agencies will implement activities transparently.  Organisations are accountable to the people they assist and to those from whom they accept resources.

Within the DPRK, aid organisations give particular emphasis to the following overarching principles.  The DPRK Government in 1991, through the UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182 on Strengthening of the Coordination of Humanitarian Emergency Assistance of the United Nations, endorsed the first three principles.

Concerning the application of these principles and the core international human rights instruments:

1.  The programme promotes universal enjoyment of rights through its targeting of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

2.  The programme has tried to address the indivisibility and interdependence of rights through a balanced approach to the immediate needs of the population. 

3.  The programme has sought to enhance accountability through improved monitoring and evaluation.

4.  The principle of impartiality requires that aid be distributed on the basis of need, regardless of political or other extraneous considerations.  Aid Agencies must thus retain control over distribution decisions.

5.  The programme recognises that primary responsibility for complying with the core international human rights instruments rests with the Government.  Agencies will provide support to the Government to assist it in meeting its international human rights obligations.

6. The programme has developed Principles for Humanitarian Action in DPRK (plus three supporting consensus statements), which were first elaborated in 1998, to support the application of humanitarian principles in the DPRK.

Primary Source:  United Nations, Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal 2004- Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, p.10