Journal Article

New Voices, New Partners

Simons, C.J.

2025

Overview

Purpose-This study examines how civil society engagement at the UN on human rights in North Korea changed following the 2014 Commission of Inquiry (COI). Design, Methodology, Approach-This study analyses patterns in civil society engagement with the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for North Korea in 2009, 2014 and 2019, before and after the COI. Findings- Organizations submitting to the UPR increased, from 18 in 2009 to 57 in 2019, after the COI. The number of joint submissions and first-time submitters also rose significantly, as did the diversity of submitting organizations. The article contends that the Inquiry, and the momentum around it, indirectly contributed to an increase in the number, diversity and connectivity of organizations making submissions to North Koreas UPRs. Practical Implications-Revealing new patterns of UN engagement could help civil society reflect on and improve advocacy approaches. It also expands scholars' understanding of civil society engagement with UN human rights mechanisms and the impact of COIs on civil society advocacy. Originality, Value-On the COI reports ten-year anniversary, this article adds to existing research on North Korea human rights networks and the outcomes of the Inquiry, by examining the impact of the Inquiry on civil society engagement at the UN.

• Publisher: McFarland & Company,McFarland & Company, Inc
• Subject: Advocacy / Civil society / Documentation / Human rights / Interviews / Issue Articles / Organizations / Social change / Tribunals & commissions / Violations