For 17 years, the U.N. General Assembly has adopted a detailed resolution setting forth major concerns about human rights in the DPRK. This year’s resolution numbers 12 pages and once again “condemns in the strongest terms the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in and by the DPRK, including those that may amount to crimes against humanity.”

Reinforced by North Korea’s nuclear program, the resolution’s expected adoption by the General Assembly on Thursday adds to North Korea’s political isolation and to donor governments’ reluctance to extend needed humanitarian and