How we should remember Otto Warmbier

Opinion

How we should remember Otto Warmbier

Former head of UN COI on DPRK human rights says tragic case "tells the world that it should act"

Michael Kirby June 21, 2017

DSCN2689-mod003 by Konrad Lembcke on 2013-05-23 17:42:13

This article is an adaptation of a speech given by Justice Kirby at the Sydney Institute on 21 June, republished with his permission

This week the family of Otto Warmbier announced, in their polite, understated American way: “It is our sad duty to report that our son has completed his journey home. Otto died today at 2pm”.

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About the Author

Michael Kirby

Justice Michael Kirby was appointed head of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea by the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2013, delivering its findings in February the following year. He is president of the International Commission of Jurists and previously served as a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1996 to 2009.

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