Browse Research and Commentary

The establishment of the [UN] commission [to look into North Korea's human rights abuses] reflects long overdue recognition that a human rights ‘emergency’ exists in North Korea. The commission of inquiry should not be seen as an end in itself but rather as part of a larger strategy to promote human rights in North Korea.

March 23, 2013, Roberta Cohen, Yonhap News Agency

North Korea Faces Heightened Human Rights Scrutiny

March 21, 2013, Roberta Cohen

It’s never easy to predict change in a society. Just remember the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the changes in Arab countries ― they were hardly foreseen. Continuing to chip away at the Kim regime and working to penetrate the information wall around North Korea could in time lead to change.

February 26, 2013, Roberta Cohen, The Korea Herald

[U.S. support for a U.N. inquiry into human rights abuses in North Korea could prompt other nations] especially those on the fence, to come forward in support of the initiative.

February 20, 2013, Roberta Cohen, Washington Post

North Koreans in China in Need of International Protection

December 2012, Roberta Cohen

Challenges to Human Rights Information Gathering in North Korea

November 28, 2012, Roberta Cohen

North Korea, Human Rights and Chen Guangcheng

May 16, 2012, Roberta Cohen

Human Rights Progress In North Korea: Is It Possible?

March 20, 2012, Roberta Cohen

China's Repatriation of North Korean Refugees

March 5, 2012, Roberta Cohen

"From Responsibility to Response" Report Launch

December 5, 2011

Women Responding to War

November 22, 2011, Roberta Cohen

Admitting North Korean Refugees to the United States: Obstacles and Opportunities

September 20, 2011, Roberta Cohen

Hunger in North Korea: Time for a Decision

July 15, 2011, Roberta Cohen

Protracted Refugee Situations: An Iraq Case Study

April 20, 2011, Roberta Cohen

Kim Jong Il and the Hunger Problem

March 16, 2011, Morton Abramowitz and Roberta Cohen

On Libya, Our Policy Became a Hostage

March 2, 2011, Roberta Cohen

Looking to the Future in Sudan

January 14, 2011, Roberta Cohen

Around the Halls: Remembering Richard Holbrooke

December 14, 2010, Roberta Cohen, Francis M. Deng, Martin S. Indyk, John McLaughlin and Strobe Talbott

Disasters and Displacement: Gaps in Protection

November 16, 2010, Megan Bradley and Roberta Cohen

The Rationale for a Foreign Policy that Takes the Cause of Women Seriously

October 28, 2010

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Legal Grounds for Protection of North Korean Refugees

Fall 2010, Roberta Cohen

Improving the U.S. Response to Internal Displacement

June 30, 2010

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Improving the U.S. Response to Internal Displacement: Recommendations to the Obama Administration and the Congress

June 2010, Dawn Calabia and Roberta Cohen

Human Rights: A Means of Engaging North Korea

June 2010, Roberta Cohen

Reconciling Responsibility to Protect with IDP Protection

March 25, 2010, Roberta Cohen