Along the lines of many human rights groups, Lefkowitz said placing human rights on the security agenda is "necessary."
"Does our silence not mute further atrocities?" he stated.
As several of the panelists had touched upon, Lefkowitz brought up the Helsinki Final Act as a kind of model for the Northeast Asian countries to draw from for the inclusion of human rights on the security agenda.
The Helsinki Act was signed by 35 countries in 1975 to promote cooperation between the United States and Canada, the Soviet Union and the countries of Europe. The accords also included respect for human rights as one of its main points.
Cohen highlighted the accords as a point in which human rights became a legitimate topic of discussion. Not seeking a "carbon copy" of the act, Cohen suggested referencing it as a springboard for talking about human rights issues.
Lefkowitz similarly stated that although the Helsinki Accords are not a perfect analogy, it still shows that "we can address security and human rights at the same time."
Nevertheless, "the international community should take action when there is time," Lefkowitz said, "before 'Hotel Pyongyang' comes out."
[Editor's Note: Lillian Kwon reported from New York, USA for this article]
Lillian Kwon
Christian Today Correspondent
