In practice, the UPR has become a place where the worst violators of human rights are commended and rights abusers present themselves as human rights champions.
The case of North Korea shows exactly how perverse the UPR process has become.
On February 17, 2014 the UN released the "Report of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." The Commission's report documents "unspeakable atrocities" in North Korea, including crimes against humanity including murdering babies born to pregnant women caught fleeing sexual violence, and political victims forced to catch snakes and mice to feed starving babies. The Commission concluded that "the gravity, scale and nature of the violations" committed by North Korea reveal a "state that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world" and which "seeks to dominate every aspect of its citizens' lives".
On May 1, 2014 during the UPR of North Korea the head of the North Korean delegation made the following statements:
- "The DPRK has consistently maintained the people-centered human rights ideas that fully guarantee dignity, equality...All people in our country under the wise leadership of Kim Jong-un and his politics of valuing people and love for people made strenuous efforts for the economic development... Innovative measures were taken for the promotion and protection of human rights... Independence and impartiality of judiciary was ensured ...The government made great efforts to bring improvement in economic improvement... We will honor our international obligations to promote human rights... There are no political prisoners in our vocabulary...The state respects religious life...Freedom of travel is fully guaranteed both in practice and in law...Regarding freedom of expression as one of the fundamental human rights the constitution provides freedom of speech, assembly, press. In the DPRK people are under protection of constitution and other laws and freely express their views...no one can restrict these rights... This review is good occasion for promoting understanding of real human rights situation in the DPRK...We will participate in the spirit of constructiveness and sincerity..."
The UPR included the following praise for North Korea's horrific record from a who's who of human rights abusers:
- • Turkmenistan: We welcome efforts to strengthen its legislation including in the field of promotion of child and women rights.
• Uganda: We commend them for the presentation of their report. DPRK appears to have made progress in the area of education.
• Uzbekistan: We express our gratitude for the national report. We note progress in health care, education, gender equality. We note promoting the rights of women, children.
• Zimbabwe: The DPRK introduced number of laws to enhance efforts to promote and protect human rights. It includes promotion of women and children rights.
• Angola: We note efforts to improve rights of women in the country.
• Belarus: We note achievements in the are of free medical care.
• Bolivia: We highlight institutional progress in human rights.
• China: China welcomes efforts and progress made in human rights.
• Venezuela: We commend the major progress made in the DPRK.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: DPRK made progress in the promotion of human rights.
• Egypt: We commend in particular protection of rights of women, children.
• Iran: We commend the DPRK constructive engagement with the UPR process.
• Lao: We welcome the efforts made by the DPRK in education.
• Sudan: We have seen with satisfaction the reforms taken in the country in the area of human rights.
• Syria: We appreciate efforts to improve the living standards...We congratulate on the progress in right to education and right to health.