UN accuses North Korea of rights violations
Iran Press TV
Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:21PM GMT
A UN human rights monitor has accused North Korea of engaging in crimes against humanity, calling for an international commission of inquiry into the country’s human rights record.
Marzuki Darusman presented a report at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday over the rights situation in North Korea, citing cases of rights violations there.
It came after reports said that the European Union and Japan circulated a resolution draft, backed by the United States, at the UNHRC in Geneva on Friday. It called for a formal commission of inquiry for a year to probe Pyongyang’ human rights situation.
The council will reportedly approve the draft later this month. Analysts, however, considered the situation as an excellent opportunity for the US and its allies to take anti-Pyongyang measure, as North Korea’s allies, China and Russia, are not part of the 47-member-state council.
The move was also reportedly aimed at inciting tougher UN sanctions against North Korea, which is already facing tough sanctions for its recent nuclear tests and rocket launches.
Darusman’s report included nine areas of concern such as torture, arbitrary detention, use of prison camps, enforced disappearances, prevent people from food, and denial of freedom of expression.
"I believe that many, if not all, of the nine patterns of violation, identified in my present report, may amount to crimes against humanity, committed as part of systematic and or widespread attacks against civilian population," Darusman told the council.
However, North Korea’s ambassador to the UN rejected the report, saying Darusman was cooperating with "hostile forces", citing the US, EU and Japan.
"We make it clear again. The human rights violations identified in this report do no exist," the North Korean envoy said.
"The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will continue to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of its people," he added.
SAB/JR
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