Ambassador Richard Williamson passed away in December 2013 at the age of 64. He was a member of the HRNK Board of Directors.

It is with extraordinary sadness that the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) announces the sudden passing of Board member Richard Salisbury Williamson, American thought leader, diplomat, lawyer and teacher. Ambassador Williamson served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and as United States Ambassador to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs. HRNK will always remember Ambassador Williamson’s commitment to shedding light on North Korea’s human rights violations. While serving as Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2004, he gave strong support to the UN’s appointment of a special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea. He recognized the importance of concentrating a special international focus on the human rights situation in that country and spoke out to help bring freedom and democracy to the people of North Korea. His profound commitment to the promotion of democratic values extended worldwide. As United States Special Envoy for Sudan, he played an important role in speaking out against genocide in Darfur. His book, America’s Mission in the World: Principles, Practices and Predicaments, published in 2009, expressed the need to expand human rights, democracy and freedom in countries and regions throughout the world. This year he co-authored a widely publicized report with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on the responsibility to protect. In it, he called for a United States commitment to promote protection for civilians from genocide and other forms of mass atrocity. HRNK lost an extremely capable advocate of North Korean human rights and a true leader in the fight for freedom worldwide. Ambassador Williamson’s work continues to set a shining example for HRNK’s future.

Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director
Roberta Cohen and Andrew Natsios, Co-Chairs, Board of Directors