Strengthening Legal Capacity to Pursue Accountability for North Korean Human Rights Violations

Our Services and Activities

• Mapping viable accountability avenues: An extensive analysis of domestic and international justice mechanisms and pathways (both civil and criminal), and previous accountability efforts conducted by North Korean human rights CSOs, culminated in GRC’s groundbreaking 2022 Accountability Strategy Report. This 90-page report (short version available here) guides local and international justice actors in developing and implementing more strategic and impactful accountability outcomes for victims of the North Korea regime, and has formed the basis of GRC’s ongoing capacity building and advocacy efforts.
• Tailored legal capacity building and legal: Through designing and delivering bespoke legal training, mentorship and consultations, GRC continues to strengthen the capacity of local CSOs to document human rights breaches against North Korean nationals in line with best practice; draft effective submissions to international justice mechanisms and UN bodies; and implement successful international advocacy and engagement initiatives to advance accountability efforts for crimes committed by North Korea.
• Strategic advocacy and engagement: GRC supports impactful international advocacy and engagement campaigns that are designed and driven by local CSOs. We leverage our extensive network of global justice actors and our technical experience in delivering successful multi-year advocacy strategies to enhance the promote community-led campaigns at the international and regional levels.
• With our partners, we have co-hosted side events at high-level forums including the ICC Assembly of States Parties and the UN Human Rights Council, contributed to advocacy efforts leading to the passage of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution (55/21), and facilitated strategic engagement with international justice mechanisms, embassies and UN bodies. This work has served to bridge the gap between international and national stakeholders, and build momentum for international action to promote accountability for victims of the North Korean regime.