MEDIA ADVISORY

Mission to Tokyo of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Aug 28-31, 2013

1. The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will hold two days of public hearings in Japan on August 29-30 at United Nations University in Tokyo.

2. The hearings will be held on the 5th floor, Elizabeth Rose Room, UN University, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30.

3. Although open to the public, space may be limited, depending on overall attendance and the capacity of the hearing room. Thus, media wishing to attend the hearings are kindly requested to let us know of your attendance in advance by Wednesday, 28 August by sending an email to the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Tokyo (event@untokyo.jp) with the e-mail subject of “PUBLIC HEARING”. Please write your name, affiliation, total number of participants, and contact information including phone number and e-mail address.

4. Those attending the hearings, including media, will also be asked to check in at the registration table outside the hearing room. Registration will open at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each day’s hearing.

5. The Commission requests that no live feeds be broadcast while the hearings are in session.

6. Commission press officers Ron Redmond and Grace Chu will be available at the hearings. Details below.

7. In addition to the public hearings, the commission members will also meet with several senior government officials, including courtesy calls on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as meetings with various ministry staff. They will also meet officials from the national police agency and legislators.

8. PRESS CONFERENCE: The commission members will hold a press conference following the completion of the hearings. The press conference is currently scheduled for Friday, August 30, at 6:45 p.m. at the Japan National Press Club. You will be notified if there are any changes. Media wishing to attend the hearings are kindly requested to let us know of your attendance in advance by Wednesday, 29 August by sending an email to an email to the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Tokyo (event@untokyo.jp) with the e-mail subject of “PRESS CONFERENCE”. Please write your name, affiliation, total number of participants, and contact information including phone number and e-mail address.

Media contacts:

Ron Redmond, Mobile contact (Tokyo) 090-3105-2329; coidprkmedia@ohchr.org

Grace Cho, gcho@ohchr.org

UNIC Tokyo, Tel: 03-5467-4451

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